Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Miami recently shared a message from Pope Francis on the topic of being ready for the bridegroom's arrival.

"Human history begins with the creation of man and woman in God's likeness and ends with the Last Judgement of Christ," the Holy Father said in the church's Nov. 8 bulletin. "These two poles of history are often forgotten; and, at times, especially faith in Christ’s return and in the Last Judgement, are not so clear and firm in Christian hearts." 

We are told of the parable of the ten virgins, five of which were wise and five of which were foolish. In their preparation for the coming of the bridegroom, the five wise virgins kept their lamps trimmed and their oil filled, while the five unwise virgins failed to do anything like this. Instead, the five unwise virgins sat idly by and waited until the very moment of the bridegroom's arrival.

The foolish virgins had to go and acquire what they should have already had and then were shut out of the banquet because they were too late. 

"The Bridegroom is the Lord, and the time of waiting for his arrival is the time he gives to us, to all of us, before his Final Coming with mercy and patience," Pope Francis stated. "It is a time of watchfulness; a time in which we must keep alight the lamps of faith, hope and charity; a time in which to keep our heart open to goodness, beauty and truth. It is a time to live in accordance with God, because we do not know either the day or the hour of Christ's return." 

We are told by our Lord that we must be ready to meet him— ready in our hearts and our minds, through having taken the appropriate steps to prepare for our meeting him. This warning from Jesus, however, should not scare us, but should make us aware that this time that we have on earth is valuable.

We have ample time to do what is required of us. Let us not waste it.