I grew up in a Protestant tradition that didn’t give much attention to Holy Week. We mentioned Palm Sunday and might have had a Good Friday service, but that was about it. Looking at other traditions has given me a greater appreciation for Holy Week and what each day leading up to Easter signifies.
Today is Holy Tuesday. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition Holy Tuesday focuses on the parable of the 10 virgins from Matthew 25.
In the parable 10 virgins wait for the bridegroom to return. Five have enough oil for their lamps but five run out. While the five who ran out leave to get more oil the bridegroom returns and they are left outside.
We need to be prepared for Christ’s return just like Captain Picard was prepared for the return of the Borg.
Star Trek: First Contact is one of my very favorite Star Trek movies. After his ordeal with the Borg in “The Best of Both Worlds,” Picard knew that the Borg were going to return. He had stored up enough oil for his lamp, though. When the Borg finally made their way back to the Alpha quadrant, Picard was ready.
Instead of resting on his nacelles, like Starfleet wanted him to, Picard prepared himself, his crew and the Enterprise. Instead of being left out in the cold of space, Picard fought his way into the battle and turned the tide. Picard knew what was coming and he wanted to be ready.
We know that Jesus is coming and we should be ready. We have no idea when Jesus is going to return so we should be prepared every moment of every day. For me that means living a life that would make Jesus proud. I don’t want to be in the middle of a sin when Jesus returns, like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
I want to be living a life that honors Jesus.
I want to be living a life that prepares the way for his return.
I want to be living a life that directs people toward our returning savior.
Like the Borg, Jesus is coming back. Unlike the Borg, Jesus’s return will bring with it peace, joy and the redemption of all things. Jesus could return at any moment so we should be ready. He’s coming whether we like or not so we need to be prepared. Resistance is futile.
How do you prepare for Christ’s eventual return?
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