You Cannot Borrow Readiness

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In today’s Gospel, we hear about the ten brides awaiting the bridegroom. Jesus ends the parable saying “Stay awake”. This does not apply just to the foolish ones though. Because all ten virgins fall asleep. So maybe Jesus is not telling us that a faithful person never gets tired, never struggles, never loses focus. The difference is not that five stayed awake and five did not. The difference is that five were ready when the bridegroom came. And that gives us the theme: you can fall asleep and still be ready – but you cannot borrow readiness at the last minute.

First: Prepare Before the Moment Comes. The foolish virgins were not bad people. They were invited to the wedding. They wanted to meet the bridegroom. Their problem was that they assumed there would always be more time. That is a dangerous spiritual habit: “I will pray later. I will forgive later. I will go to Confession later. I will take my faith seriously later.” But some things cannot be prepared in five minutes. A life with God is built quietly, one choice at a time. The oil in our lamp is filled in ordinary moments, long before the midnight cry.

Second: Do Not Try to Live on Somebody Else’s Oil. The foolish virgins say, “Give us some of your oil.” At first, the response of the wise virgins can sound selfish. Why not share? Because perhaps Jesus is showing us that there are certain things nobody can give you. Your parents can give you the faith, but they cannot believe for you. A priest can hear your confession, but he cannot repent for you. Someone can teach you how to pray, but they cannot have your relationship with Jesus for you. We can help one another a lot but at some point each person must answer God personally. There are things in the spiritual life that simply cannot be borrowed.

Third: Do Not Confuse Tiredness with Unfaithfulness. This might be the most comforting part of the Gospel. They all became drowsy. They all slept. Sometimes we imagine holiness means constantly feeling spiritually strong, enthusiastic, focused and inspired. But even the wise virgins slept. There will be seasons when prayer feels dry, when we are exhausted, when faith feels less exciting. The question is not, “Have I ever fallen asleep?” The question is, “When Christ comes, is there still oil in my lamp?” Have I kept returning to Him? Have I allowed Him to shape my heart? Have I remained His, even when I was tired?

And maybe that is what the “stay awake” really means. Live in such a way that when Jesus comes whether at the end of our life, in an unexpected moment, or simply in the person who needs us today,  we recognize Him. Christianity is not panic about the future. It is readiness in the present.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know how easily I become distracted, tired, and careless. Teach me not to postpone what matters most. Fill my heart with faith, love, repentance and desire for You. When I grow weary, keep my lamp burning, so that whenever You come, I may recognise You and be ready to follow You into the feast. Amen.

– Homily by Rev. Fr. Patrick Agbeko