(Wis.6:12-16; Ps.63:2-8; 1Thes.4:13-18; Mt.25:1-13) "Stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." O Lord, "through the night-watches I will meditate on you: you are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy." "As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you"; for though "my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water" for you, O Living God, I have "gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory," and you have met me with your "kindness." Your Wisdom "graciously appears to [me] in the ways, and meets [me] with all solicitude." "Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire; whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate. For taking thought of Wisdom is the perfection of prudence, and whoever for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care." I could not say it any better, or any differently, than the sacred author. Do not these words perfectly illustrate the Lord's message in our gospel today – Stay awake! Keep your lamps burning! Seek Wisdom! Be ready, and she will come to you; and you will be gathered into the marriage feast. Foolishly sit in darkness, unconcerned for your fate, and these ominous words shall resound in your barren soul: "Then the door was locked." And then there shall be no entering. I must again remark on the astounding lack of wisdom in the commentary of the missal I read. It states, "Paul is under the misconception that our Lord will return during his lifetime," ignorantly assuming that when he says, "We who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord," he is referring to himself and his companions. Oh my! Where do they derive the oil for their lamps? He is no more referring directly to himself in this instance than he is when he says, "If we believe that Jesus died and rose" – it is of the whole Church, of whatever time or place, he is speaking! How can our "scholars" not see this; and how can they be so ready to utter blasphemy against Holy Scripture and the Lord's Apostle, suggesting that he purports some greater knowledge of the Lord's return than the Lord Himself? Do they think he is as ignorant, or proud, as they? Brothers and sisters, we indeed have great hope of resurrection. When "the Lord Himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven," we will be caught up with Him "in the air," in His heavenly presence. But we must have His light within ourselves and keep watch for His Hour, waiting through the night for the dawn of His Day. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Watching the Sun" from Bearing the Birth Pangs, tenth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, nothing else matters but our union with you – let us be with you forever. YHWH, help us to keep vigil for you and for your Son's return. Let our hearts be set on your coming glory, that we may join in it ourselves. May our lamps shine brightly as we await the new Day; dispel all darkness from our midst. Give us the wisdom we need to remember your promise of new life in the kingdom – O let us be wed to Jesus, we pray! Through the night we meditate on you and on your Word; it is for you our souls thirst. What more could we desire than to be with you in Heaven? What more should we long for than your saving grace? And to those who seek you, you come, O LORD. To rescue us from the darkness you do not delay. For even as we remain in vigil, your wisdom hastens to shine the light of your face. May we be counted among those ready for your coming kingdom; with your Son may we enter the wedding feast. Awake let us be to share in your glory. O LORD, that we shall rise from the dead let us believe.