First of all, these two are not related . I started off the first day of September feeling a bit overwhelmed and thinking I was just not up to coping with the day…this is called whining. The weather was stinking hot and smoke from the forest fires filled the air, and my just arthroscopied knee was really swollen, and there were other things I didn’t want to deal with lurking. Since sulking and scripture go very well together I ended up being scolded by Gideon. He asked, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?” I found this to be a reasonable question. The answer: “Go with the strength you have and save Israel (take care of the day, Tina) from the power of Midian. Is it not I who send you?” Okay, so, this says to me,” Go with the strength you have–not with the strength you once had or what you thought you had or what you wished you had or what the other guy had but what you have right now.” I got the message , so, I got to work. The weather is still stale and ugly, problems are pending , but the knee has been doctored and wrapped. Now, it’s what Gideon does later that I really enjoy…the thing with the fleece. If it’s dewy then we fight…well, can we try that again with the fleece being dry and the ground wet? I do this. Maybe because I’m Irish and superstitious and indecisive and always want the answer before I take a step. Ah, well.
Now, the ten virgins in today’s gospel totally annoyed me. Why couldn’t those skinflint, holier than thou, selfish, always doing everything just so five virgins have shared their oil and then depended on Divine Providence to keep the lamps lit. Just sayin’.
So, today, go forward with the strength you have and share your oil.
Amen for today and Be Holy
A Word to the Weary 