I do not know you

Sisters and brothers in Christ, today's Gospel reminds me of all relatives and friends I know I have all over the world and yet will never get to know better in my lifetime. It could be many reasons, from money to time to distance between us. However, it does not have to be this way with our Lord and our God, our Father in heaven.

To know Jesus is to encounter him and foster a personal relationship with him through prayer - our way of talking with God. Yet, we often do not take the time to get to know God better or, worst yet, some of us do not have the desire to know our Creator and Redeemer. This is truly sad but what is even sadder than us not knowing God is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ saying to us: "I do not know you." Ouch!

As today's Gospel Acclamation reminds us: "Be vigilant at all times and pray, that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man." Therefore, let us do just this and, fortunately for us, it is never too late to start that conversation with Christ. He is waiting to hear from us.

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Gospel of the Day

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“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.”