Wisdom 6:12-16 / 1 Thess 4:13-18 / Matthew 25:1-13
To be on time for an appointment is truly a commitment.
And we can say that to be early is good efficiency.
Well, one key to success is to have lunch at that time of the day when most people are having breakfast.
But more importantly, to be early shows that we are responsible and that we care about the people we are meeting.
We don't want others to wait for us, and waste their time when we are late. Because we also don't like it when others are late. That won't be a pleasant start for the meeting or for the appointment.
But when we have to wait for others because they are late, there are a couple of things we can choose to do.
We can choose to be frustrated and resentful and be angry, while constantly looking at our watch.
Or, we can choose to do something that will benefit us, and even benefit the other party.
In the gospel parable, the bridegroom was late, very late. The 10 bridesmaids who are waiting for him grew drowsy and fell asleep.
The wise bridesmaids were prepared as they brought along extra flasks of oil. The foolish bridesmaids had oil in their lamps, but they did not bring any extra oil for an unexpected situation.
But while the bridesmaids were waiting, those foolish bridesmaids should have done some observing and thinking.
Instead of being idle and falling asleep, they should have noticed that they don't have extra oil.
But since they chose to do nothing about it, then nothing can be done for them.
In reflecting on this parable, there is a lesson presented before us.
We are not born wise or foolish. Rather in life it is a matter of choice. We choose to be either wise or foolish.
We can either choose what is beneficial, or we can choose to just remain idle.
So, in waiting for someone who is late for an appointment, a choice is presented before us.
We can choose to be frustrated and angry with the other person for being late and wasting our time.
Or, we can choose to turn it into a time to be with God, and to see what He is showing us or telling us.
A deeper reflection would also help us realize that waiting is something that happens often, if not always, in prayer.
When we pray, and if we get an immediate answer from the Lord, then it means that it is something important and urgent.
But, most of the time, we pray and then we wait and wait for God to answer our prayer.
God does not reject our prayer, or give us a flat NO!
Rather, in waiting for God's answer to our prayer, we are led to think about what we are really asking from God.
The light of our faith will tell us that God loves us, and He wants to give us what is good for us.
Let us not be foolish and be angry and frustrated with God, because we think our prayers are not answered.
Rather let us ask the Lord to give us oil for our lamps of faith, so that our hope will burn bright, and that we will be wise enough to see that God's ways are always right.