1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.
4The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6"At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
- P112
10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11"Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12"But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
- P113
Jesus tells a parable about ten virgins, five wise and five foolish, who waitfor the bridegroom of a wedding ceremony. They are all invited to the samewedding. They all have lamps with them. They all fall asleep and wake upwhen they hear the call announcing the bridegroom‘s arrival. What setsthe wise apart is that they prepared oil for their lamps; the foolish did notand their lamps are going out. All ten virgins were waiting expectantly forthe bridegroom but only the wise were prepared. - P115
Our own human zeal orefforts may give us an appearance of devotion to Christ but neither of thosewill keep us burning for Him. It is the Holy Spirit whom God has given uswho can help us endure until Christ returns. Let us keep inand allow Him to make us ready.
step with Him- P115
Dear Jesus, we do not know when You will return. Help us be like the wisebridesmaids-ready and faithful each day. Fill our hearts with joy as weprepare for You. In Your name, amen.- P114
