Mt 25:1-13 11/8 10 virgins / oil spiritual readiness SUBMITTED

In today's age, rather than Oil, we rely on batteries for energy. For young ones, it's all about the devices. Have you ever been with a child during a blackout and encountered their astonishment at machines not working? Our current times are so full of distractions and the desire to keep busy. Genuine prayer and quiet time for God are often lost in the shuffle, for many children and adults alike. With the increasing reliance on fast-paced machines, I worry we are brainwashed into the wrong priorities. 

Our sole life goal should be striving for Sainthood, and nothing else. To best prepare for entry to Heaven, we can turn to the Saints for guidance. What better use of robots or A.I. than this? One website I recently found has tools to help me improve how to pray by applying the practices of different Saints to Scripture. From practicing deep self-reflection like St Augustine, or basking in little ways of sharing love like St Therese, I can actively exercise my soul for the spiritual readiness and battles that Christ has asked of me.  

I've prayed about how to obtain those qualities I need to practice and succeed at if I myself want to become a saint. I shook recognizing God answered this prayer by pointing me to podcasts on Cardinal and Theological Virtues. My toddler's favorite bedtime book right now, Cutie Fruities and the Fruits of the Spirit, have also reiterated the many values I myself need to train at. My oil and batteries are fueled by finding the right resources to guide me in carrying out the the Lord's teachings; as Jeff Cavins said, be an "activated disciple", rather than being passive and allowing the lightbulb to go out.

What vice may be draining my oil tank and distracting me from being spiritually ready for the Lord?

Lord, help me to grow in faith, love, and good deeds. May I continually place you above all else in my life, so that my life exists solely to glorify you. 

Identify a virtue you and your family can practice together this week to light the lamp of your souls with the “Oil of the Holy Spirit.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"The one who showed him mercy.”

Oh, Divine Mercy in my soul. There is no greater gift than Christ's love for me, a poor sinner.  God's mercy far surpasses anything the human mind is capable of imagining; like the edges of the universe, its boundaries are limitless.  Repeatedly I fall, yet there is beauty and glory in that my bridegroom, my Lord, waits for me so that He can offer a forgiveness unlike any other. For I am but a mere speck of dust, but to Him, I am ravishing.  Lord, help me be like you, my Rabbi, to share mercy with others. My heart is like stone, but you can melt it with a fire that sets the weakest spirit ablaze with new life. You share Peace, even after being denied, ridiculed, and abandoned.  May I know your patience and compassion!   Christ, let me know your fervor, so that your sacrifice is never in vain.  With gratitude, help me to recognize you in every being I encounter.  Let me  know  your courage, to go to the depths of darkness to share a light that...
Read more

Pitter-patter sounds in my heart

Pitter-patter sounds in my heart. There has been a lot of time to reflect these past few weeks. It’s been extraordinarily stressful times to say the least. For me, one of the ways I best cope is my alone time, where I can sit back and process my experiences. Today, I wonder how have I contributed to the state of affairs in our society as a whole. Growing up, I cared so much about what others thought. Like many, I was brought up that interracial relationships were frowned upon. In finally entering one after many years of friendship with my now-husband, I recall remarking how the color of his darker skin didn’t matter to me. We were together because of our love for each other and that was all that mattered. But I was wrong. His skin color  does  matter because it is part of what makes him who he is. Rather than ignoring it, I need to recognize him for  all of who he is . Only by doing this can I truly know what love is. This is the same for our children. If I deny the...
Read more

Anchor Us, Oh Lord, and Let Us Marvel in Your Goodness

Matthew 8:23-27 -  Jesus Stills the Storm 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” My kids and I often listen to David Suchet's reading of the Jesus Storybook Bible, written by Sally Lloyd Jones. It is a classic that I highly encourage families of young children check out. I think by far my favorite story in this precious collection is of Jesus calming the storm. At one point, Suchet re-tells the story of despair the Apostles had as the raging storm is thundering around them. They cry out in exasperation, "Don't you care?" ...
Read more