*REFLECTION FOR FRIDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR* *II* 

Being unprepared can lead to unnecessary trouble and even disaster! What good is a life-jacket left on the shore when the boat is sinking? Jesus warns us that there are consequences for being unprepared. There are certain things you cannot obtain at the last moment. When the Lord Jesus comes to lead you to his heavenly banquet will you be ready to hear his voice and follow? 

   In the first reading (1 Cor 1: 17-25), Paul contrasts the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God which we are called to embrace and share. The wisdom of the world seek for understanding through reasoning which is finite and limited. It fades! But the wisdom of God can only be understood in the language of the cross, though illogical to human mind and reasoning, it has the power to save for those who believe. We have the choice to make between the wisdom of God- Jesus Christ, and the things of this world that pass away.

   In the gospel (Matt. 25: 1-13), Jesus uses the parable of the wise and foolish virgins to instruct on the necessity of readiness to embrace the Kingdom of God. God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom!

   Dear friends, the prepaid ticket for the Kingdom of God is holiness - faith in God manifested through good deeds. Our relationship with God should not be a "fire brigade" approach, not a last minute approach but constantly knitting together the broken pieces of our life. Success is preparedness awaiting opportunity, so is the Kingdom of God. Am I as ready as I can be? Am I wise enough? 

   I pray as we journey in life today, may the thoughts of St. Paul keep sounding in our minds: we are to preach the cruxified Christ, an obstacle to men, but to those who have been called, the wisdom of God. (1 Cor 1:23-24). Let us not be like the foolish virgins pressuming to be sufficiently ready, nor be deceived by the slogan: "better late than never", for when the door is closed, we may have no opportunity to enter. Have a God's wisdom-full day!