Keep Awake

Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”  Matthew 25:1-13

I really enjoy sleeping and when I cannot, I know myself to be cranky and easily confused. People talk these days of mindfulness which is really another term for being awake and prepared. This keeping awake, is not about losing sleep, but rather, being present in everything, with everyone. We wander the world, glued to our devices, completely unaware of the world around us. We cannot be blessed, transformed or delighted, if we are so shut off from our own lives and those around us.

We are almost to Advent and our Gospel readings begin to prepare us for that time of waiting and watching. Jesus was warning those who thought themselves part of the in crowd, who didn't have to change, grow or welcome others, might find themselves unready to receive God's blessing. Their preconceived notions of God's presence and their greatness would be challenged, as ours are today. Yet we are invited to open our hearts to the new ways Christ will come into our lives.

Today, I ask God to give me an open heart and mind so that I might grow and change as I am called to be. May our age or status not be an obstacle to our willingness to delight in God's blessings, especially when they arrive in odd packages and in different ways than we might expect.