End of Life
Death is an inevitable part of every life. It can bring sadness, grief, and much heart-ache. But death is also important as the gateway by which we pass from our temporal mortal lives to immortal life with Christ in Heaven. We should all prepare for our deaths diligently that we might not be taken unaware like the foolish virgins in the bible who were unprepared for the arrival of the bridegroom. May we be ready when death comes for us. May we eagerly await the departure from our mortal bodies and our inheritance of eternal life. May we yearn every day for our goal of union with Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’" Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13)