Are you Ready?

11-12-2023Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

Jesus tells His disciples the story about the ten (10) virgins. Five were wise, bringing extra oil, while the others were unprepared. It is better to have more than less in life and in love. Be prepared when the storm comes: whatever comes, and the surprises in life. The Benedictine motto Ora et labora can also mean: To do our best and let God take care of the rest.

In the parable, Jesus warns us to be alert and awake, watchful and vigilant, for we neither know the day nor the hour when the Lord is coming. It may sound a little bit morbid, but it’s prudent to be always ready, for the Lord can call us at any time. When that happens, we have to pass our papers, finished or not yet finished.

We are responsible for all the decisions and actions we make and the lives we live. The Jewish wedding rite takes place in the house of the bride’s father. The virgins are young unmarried girls who are in the bride’s house waiting for the bridegroom to arrive. There is no fixed time for the arrival of the groom; this is the reason the bridesmaids need to prepare for all eventualities. Because of this, we cannot blame the wise virgins for not sharing their oil. When can we say that a person is selfish or simply practical? At times, it is good to have provisions for the extra mile in our journey and in our ministry.

With the conflict in Israel right now, I am reminded how they are known to be very thorough and no nonsense when it comes to security and preparedness. They literally leave no stone unturned, no baggage unopened when it comes to security. They are very vigilant since unfriendly nations from all sides surround them. Still, the recent attack by Hamas caught them off guard and literally unprepared. In the same way, we must be vigilant and not be lax in our spiritual warfare. We must not remain idled remembering that idleness is the playground for evil. Nor must we be complacent and careless in our journey of faith, for the devil is like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Be alert, vigilant, and watchful, for we know not when the enemy will strike.

Being an official Chaplain of Pilgrimages entails not only being the spiritual guide one must make sure that the pilgrims are aware of thieves and snatchers by protecting one another. I always ask the husbands to stay behind their wives and be vigilant. Everyone must learn to care for one another and watch for suspecting persons who might mingle with the group with bad intentions.

This week, on Monday, I received two emergency calls for Anointing of the Sick: both have cancer and are on their journey toward death. When we learned that Dad had cancer and had three months to live, the prognosis devasted the family. No one expected the finding, not my mother or my siblings. It came as a shock to everyone, but after some time Dad’s journey to eternal life made me realize that there are some blessings to having cancer. For one, at least, my father had the chance to prepare to appear before his Creator. No matter how ugly and painful it may seem, the grace to confront one’s mortality and prepare for eternal life is a blessing.

Since no one knows when death will finally come to a person given the last rite, I integrate the Divine Mercy Chaplet into the Viaticum rite. Eternal Father, I offer you the body and blood, soul and divinity of your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. For the sake of His sorrowful passion, Have mercy on us and the whole world. Let our constant prayer be: Jesus, I trust in You. Mama Mary, I love you!

A life well lived is the best preparation for death. Let us live our lives to the fullest and give the best to this world in response to the call of a loving God. We live on borrowed time; who knows when the Lord will call us back? So, let us live in such a way that we are ready to meet our Creator anytime, any hour. AMEN.