Friday 30 August 2019
Day of Penance
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. Psalm 96(97):1-2, 5-6, 10-12. Matthew 25:1-13.
Let the just rejoice in the Lord – Psalm 96(97):1-2, 5-6, 10-12.
‘The bridegroom is here: go out and meet him.’
Though the parable of the wise and foolish virgins has an eschatological theme in its original context, its relevance to us today could lie in the fact that the ‘God of surprises’ may sometimes be present to us in unexpected ways in the events of daily life. For the one who is alive to this possibility, there are many graced moments that evoke a sense of awe and gratitude.
It would be a pity if, given over to various distractions and undue preoccupation with self, we missed these opportunities for deepening our relationship with God. According to the French mystic, Simone Weil, ‘Waiting patiently in expectation is the foundation of the spiritual life’ – words of wisdom that we would do well to take to heart. Lord, wake me to your Spirit of life and presence, and draw out from me an attentive response to each person and experience.
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