The Will of God for you is to become Holy

1 Thess. 4:1-8, Mt. 25:1-13. “The will of God for you is to become holy”, Paul reminds us in today's first reading. He also warns against sexual aberrations and selfish lust like the pagans who do not know God. He invites us to live righteously and devote ourselves to God to the best of our abilities, to follow God’s ways and walk in His path following what He taught and revealed to us through the Holy Spirit. This appeal is made that we may "Watch and pray’ and not lower the guard. The wisdom of the wise virgins in today's Gospel consists in maintaining a constant alert to be holy. The only preparation needed to encounter the groom, Jesus Christ is holiness. The foolish virgins took of the guard and immersed into a world of carelessness and disquiet.

The question we should ask ourselves is: "Am I watchful enough to detect if the lamps are going out? We need to reflect on the fragility of life and what truly counts at the end. We need to refill the oil lamp of our life on a daily basis. No matter how difficult it may be, prayer energizes and strengthens faith and communion with God like a flame kept live by oil. A life that is empty, like a lamp without oil, devoid of good works and holiness cannot be lit and keep burning brightly at the moment of reckoning. Let us not be complacent in our lives, instead, let us be vigilant and sincere in living our lives with faith. Let our actions, words, deeds and interactions with others be filled with true faith, genuine love for God and true love for others, showing care, compassion and concern for all those who are needy and who are suffering.

May the Lord, our loving God, He who has promised to come again to be reunited perfectly with us, show us His love always and strengthen us to be able to live out our faith courageously in His presence! Amen!! Good morning and have a great day!!!