Keep Watch

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 

Keeping Watch

Dear Lord of normal and extraordinary times
we have lived through half of a strange year
daily aching for the normal we once knew
trying to keep safe and our families from harm.

We want to return to more frivolous times
when we could go unimpeded in the world
when we did not have to wear masks
when we did not have to keep our distance.

We have always had some responsibility
you have always told us to love our neighbor
we have been told to daily keep watch
and yet we want only to lie down and rest.

Help us to rise up and face our time
give us the courage to do what is needed
helps us to keep the lamps of love lit
and imbue us with compassion and kindness. Amen