Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.

Jesus calls us to be a light for the whole world and in order to feed this light we need to keep our spiritual fires feed with acts of charity and mercy. We have to be ready for any chance to do God’s Will by loving him and his children. When our opportunities arise we must be prepared just as the wise virgins were to follow Jesus wherever he leads. Throughout our lives we will find ourselves spiritually asleep, but what is important is for us to respond when the call to do the right thing arrives.

How do we prepare ourselves for the opportunities to do good? How do we keep our spiritual fires lit? Are we ready to follow Jesus where he needs us to be?

O Lord, we want only to go out and meet you where you are.

Amen.