¹“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. ²Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. ³When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; ⁴but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. ⁵As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. ⁶But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’⁷Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ ¹⁰And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. ¹¹Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ ¹²But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’¹³Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• Spend five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation, paying attention to the breath.
• Remember a time you were foolish.
• How were you unprepared?
• Where was Christ in this time of unpreparation?
• Remember a time when you were wise.
• How were you prepared?
• Where was Christ in this time of preparation?
• In these two experiences, what similarities do you notice?  What differences do you notice?
• What is the message from God for you?
• Is there a call to action?
• Give thanks for this time to remember times of foolishness and times of wisdom.  Give thanks for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.