The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
We need to have fuel on hand so that we are ready for the coming of the bridegroom. We need the wisdom of God who is the Holy Spirit to fill us. We want to prepare to be ready for his coming but we are human. We may even fall asleep at times. Being ready isn't all about us. We may sleep. Our attention on God may not be as perfect as we would like. God is going to surprise us. We do not know the day or the hour of his final coming. Even his little comings into our daily lives are unpredictable. God does not remove the surprises from our lives. He gives us wisdom to change our relationship to the ways in which he surprises us. Wisdom does not help us predict the date and the hour. It helps us to wait with joyful hope for his presence.
For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence,
and whoever for her sake keeps vigil
shall quickly be free from care;
because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her,
and graciously appears to them in the ways,
and meets them with all solicitude.
When we are attentive to wisdom we are attentive to the eternal perspective and final hope that gives all else in life meaning.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,
so too will God, through Jesus,
bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
We do not grieve like the rest, who have no hope, because we have the wisdom of God. This wisdom frees us from the cares of this world to the degree that when God does surprise us with his presence we are ready to welcome him.
I will remember you upon my couch,
and through the night-watches I will meditate on you:
You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
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