ARE WE READY?

 *FRIDAY 1st September 2023* 


Weekday (21)

First Reading. 1 Thessalonians 4: 1-8

Psalm. 97: I, 2, 5-6. 10-12 (R. 12a)

Gospel. Matthew 25: 1-13


TOPIC FOR REFLECTION


 *THE WISE ARE ALWAYS READY, WHILE THE FOOLISH ARE NOT* 


A wise person strives despite all odds to keep the commandments of God, but the foolish do not make any efforts. 


No wonder the psalmist says the fool says in his heart, there is no God above. Psalm 14: 1.


Those who make efforts to live a just good moral life should continue, and never become jealous of those who live as if no one will judge them.


In today's Gospel, the wise virgin kept their lamps burning with extra oil and waited patiently for the coming of the bridegroom, but the foolish were not ready for the bridegroom, and when the bridegroom came, he went away with the wise who were ready, and shut the door against the foolish who were not ready.


The question is, how ready and prepared are we? May all our efforts in serving the Lord never be in vain. Amen


Similarly, St. Paul in the first reading admonished us through the Thessalonians thus:


"You should abstain from immorality; that each one of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honour, not in the passion of lust like heathens who do not know God; that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we solemnly forewarned you. For God has not called us for uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you".


Therefore, I encourage us to keep making efforts and never give up on doing the right things,  never become jealous of the evil ones.


The devil need not make efforts on them, and with that, he allows them to become excessively rich with abundant wealth, while the children of God who make frantic efforts go hungry, so that they can turn to him (satan) for worldly wealth.


Please, it's a trap, don't fall for it. Remember that, God has promised in Psalms 34:10, it says...


"The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.


May God help us to become wise and not foolish always. 


 *Peace ✌️ be with you.* 


 *Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.* 


 *Happy New Month of September.* 

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