Keep Your Lamp Burning  | By Rev. Jack R. Miller
 
Believe it or not, I was a Boy Scout growing up.
 
Some of my favorite childhood memories came from scouting: backpacking through the woods, cooking pancakes over an open fire, sleeping under the stars, and earning merit badges.
 
One of my proudest accomplishments was earning my swimming badge. The funny thing is, the year before, I almost drowned at summer camp. I spent the rest of that summer teaching myself how to swim.
 
Even then, swimming was never really my thing. I can relate to the comedian who said, "Swimming is just staying alive while you're in the water."
 
Maybe that's why I joined the Marines instead of the Navy.
 
But scouting gave me something far more valuable than merit badges. It taught me lessons I still carry today: duty to God and Country, helping other people, always doing your best no matter what you are doing, and above all, living by the Scout motto: "Be Prepared."
 
As Christians, that's exactly what Jesus is teaching us in today's Gospel. Be prepared.
 
Not be afraid. Not be anxious. Not be obsessed with predicting the end of the world. Be Prepared.
 
The Parable of the Ten Virgins is not really about wedding customs. It's about discipleship. It's about readiness. It's about living every day as people who know that Christ meant it when he said he would return in glory.
 
Five wise bridesmaids brought extra oil. Five foolish bridesmaids assumed they had time. And that's where the Gospel starts stepping on our toes.
 
Because if we're honest, many of us live as though we'll always have more time. More time to pray. More time to forgive. More time to reconcile with our families. More time to return to confession. More time to deepen our faith. More time to serve the poor.
 
More time to say "yes" to God.
 
But tomorrow is promised to no one.
 
The great illusion of our age is that we've convinced ourselves we're in control. Our phones remind us of appointments six months away. Our watches count every step we take. Artificial intelligence can answer our questions in seconds. We can order food, movies, and just about anything else on demand.
 
Yet for all our technology, there is one thing none of us can schedule: The day when we will encounter Christ.
 
We do not know the day. We do not know the hour.
 
That is exactly why Jesus says, “Keep your lamp burning.”
 
A Gallup survey once reported that most Americans expect to go to Heaven. Yet many rarely pray, seldom worship, and have little interest in knowing the Lord they expect to spend eternity with.
 
Brothers and sisters, Heaven is not simply a reward for decent behavior. Heaven is eternal union with God.
 
If we have no desire for God now, why would we desire Him forever?
 
The wise bridesmaids understood something crucial: they couldn't borrow the oil at the last minute. Their preparedness was built over time.
 
And friends, we can't borrow someone else's faith either.
 
We can't live on our grandmother's prayers. We can't survive on our spouse's relationship with God. We can't get into Heaven on our parents' holiness.
 
At some point, each one of us must say our own yes to Jesus Christ. Each of us must tend our own lamp.
 
So, what is this "oil" that keeps the lamp burning?
 
I would suggest it is developing our daily habits of discipleship: Prayer. The Eucharist. Confession. Scripture. Acts of mercy. Forgiveness. Generosity. Faithfulness when nobody is watching.
 
Every Rosary prayed. Every act of kindness. Every confession made with a sincere heart. Every sacrifice offered in love. Drop by drop, God fills our lamps with oil.
 
And one day, when the Bridegroom comes, that lamp will be ready.
 
Now here's the good news. This Gospel is not meant to scare us. It's meant to wake us up.
 
There's a difference.
 
Jesus is not standing over us with a stopwatch. He's standing at the door with open arms and mercy. But
mercy must be received. Grace must be embraced. Faith must be lived.
 
If Jesus came today, would our lamps be burning? Would there be forgiveness where there is resentment? Would there be prayer where there has been neglect? Would there be faith where there has been indifference? Would there be oil in our lamps?
 
These are not questions for our neighbor, our spouse, or the person sitting on the other side of the church. They are questions for each one of us to consider.
 
Because someday the cry will ring out: "Behold, the Bridegroom! Come out to meet Him!"
 
And when that day comes, I don't want to be scrambling for oil. I want to be ready. I want you to be ready. I want all of us to hear those words we long to hear: "Well done, good and faithful servant."
 
The Scout motto says, "Be Prepared."
 
Jesus says exactly the same thing, but with eternal consequences.
 
So, let’s keep our lamps trimmed. Let’s keep our oil replenished. Let’s stay close to the sacraments, close to prayer, and close to Jesus.
 
And when the Bridegroom comes, whether today, next year, or fifty years from now, may He find us watching, waiting, and prepared.
Amen? Amen!