Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
A car accident, a heart attack, cancer, covid-19, a tragic fall, drowning, gun violence...the list could go on. We “know neither the day nor the hour” that our life or the life of our loved one will end. Just recently hearing of the sudden death of the not-yet-40-year-old spouse of someone I know, this is what came to mind as I read the final verse of today’s gospel passage from Matthew. “Stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”(25:13) How suddenly and unexpectedly a life can end -- our own life, the life of someone we care deeply about.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins that we read today presumably is about the importance of being prepared for Jesus’ second coming, but might it also apply to being prepared to meet God at the time of our own death? How are we called to “stay awake” or “be prepared” like the five wise virgins?
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians reminds us that the wisdom of God is unlike the wisdom of the world. He writes, “Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?” Likewise, God’s wisdom may seem foolish to this world; the message of the cross, of Christ crucified, seems foolish to those who don’t believe. And yet, isn’t that where we find true wisdom and everlasting life?
Personally, each time I hear of someone’s loved one dying, it rouses me awake a little more. How am I spending my time? How am I treating my spouse, my children, my parents, my siblings? What are the real priorities of my life and my relationships?
Let us pray for the wisdom to prepare ourselves, our hearts, our lives to meet Jesus the Bridegroom whenever that may be. Always seeking, always trusting, always hoping, let us take comfort in praying the words of St. Augustine addressing our Creator, “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Amen.
~Eileen Miller