November 12, 2023

"Do now what will profit you for eternity", so says our Holy Father St. Benedict. Today as we meet the 10 Bridesmaids in this all-familiar parable, we are often tempted to count ourselves among the wise rather than the foolish. After all we make provisions for the future. Don't we? We make wise investments, perform preventative maintenance on our property, and try to be proactive in handling misfortunes that may come our way. Prudence is one of the 4 cardinal virtues, after all. 

While we are good with taking care of our bodies, minds and emotions, where are we regarding our spiritual selves? God gives us many graces and the means to attain them through the Church. How am I making use of them? When was the last time I celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation? This would do me some good, particularly if I am on the losing side of a struggle with a particular sin that is beginning to control my life and relationships. 

God always looks at the long-term regarding us. While we see things in the light of years, centuries or millennia, God sees things in the light of eternity. He challenges us to do the same. How will I spend eternity? We answer this question by considering what the Church calls the 4 Last Things: death, judgment, heaven and hell. These 4 things have eternal consequences, and that's why our spiritual lamps must be kept burning brightly, fueled by the grace of God dwelling within us. What a tragedy to hear the words addressed to the foolish bridesmaids delivered to us: "Amen, I say to you. I do not know you." The good news is that we can avoid this by doing now what will profit us for eternity. During this November, make time for prayer, get to Sunday Mass, celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, do good for others. This proves to be a most worthwhile investment for our future.