Once again, we have entered the season of Advent; a season dedicated to the preparation of our hearts to receive Christ at Christmas and for the second coming of Jesus. It is a sacred time that calls us to repentance and hopeful longing for the Lord.
In the first reading today, we hear the lament of the people; the cries of desperation and abandonment. They felt like the God they trusted was nowhere to be seen or heard. I am sure this is a feeling not foreign to many of us, especially with everything that is happening around us in the world. Many people today may be lamenting to God and crying out for some saving grace. The destruction of lives, loss of a job, loss of stability, all caused by a vicious virus. These may be too much for some to handle. Even if you have been blessed by God, you would have seen or heard of others who are falling. Regardless of the situations we are facing, we have been given the freedom by God to take charge of our life; to choose His way or to turn away from Him.
We are told in the second reading that we do not lack any spiritual gift as we eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. (1 Cor 1:7) We have also heard 2 weeks ago that God has given each one of us talents. (Matthew 25:14-30) We are all gifted with different things based on what He deems fit for us. The question is, how are we using our gifts and talents? Do we want to hide it and risk it being taken away from us? We have been enriched by Him in every way, with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge. (1 Cor 1:5) In a world that is so torn apart by secularism and materialism, we must make use of what we have, to bring about hope to others around us; just as God reassures us that He will keep us firm to the end for He is faithful. (1 Cor 1:8-9) Let us strive to be faithful and to follow Christ’s teachings till the day He comes and bring us home.
As we continue to prepare eagerly for the second coming of Christ, the Gospel today gently reminds us to be always on our toes. We must be ready and be prepared. No matter how long the wait might be, we should never be like the complacent virgins in the parable of the Ten Virgins we read about 3 weeks ago. Not only must we be prepared, we have to keep watch and remain vigilant for when he decides to call us home. By then, we will not have time to freshen up and just go as we are. Will we be ready to say to him, “Here I am Lord, I am ready for your judgement. I pray that I have done your will.”?
Let us strive to be faithful and to follow Christ’s teachings until the day He comes and bring us home.