32nd Sunday - Fr. Leo
As I read over today’s gospel, my thoughts on its meaning was shaped by the reading I’ve been doing these months. Fr. Thomas Keating’s concept of Divine Therapy through contemplation, and Hollis’ writing around jungian’s concept of individuation of the true self, they both fit together well, made me look at a new aspect of our parable about the ten virgins.
Of the ten virgins I wondered, why didn’t the five foolish virgins go and buy oil for their lamps? One reason I could think of was procrastination. Not attending to details and putting off till later what could be done now.
Hollis, points out that procrastination can be a way of not living a conscious life. It may be an old coping skill that kept us from being judged that doesn’t work in latter life. He talks about all of us sleeping in histories un-made bed. To live a full life requires change, and that change comes as we strive to be conscious of how we respond to things in life and ask why we respond the way we do. Are we living out own God-self script, or our parents, or the churches our materialistic culture?
Our history can make demand of others what they can not fulfill. We grow disillusioned with relationships and we keep repeating old patterns with others expecting different results. For example, if you were raised by parents who never validated you, you may be seeking that in others. Until you realize that only you can reassess your parents effect on you, and realize that only you can liberate yourself from that obsessive need and validate yourself, you will continue to harm yourself and those around you.
The key is to “stay away,” as the gospel says. To become conscious of the unconscious patters that steal our freedom and keep us from living meaningful lives.
Other ways of “procrastinating” could be any addiction, and we all have them to varying degrees. There are ways we try to dull the painful call to grow and reach our true inner self where true peace and happiness reside.
A healthy life is always in “growth mode.’ The Spirit is living and animating, a good energy, not a repetition of dead history bringing depression. Staying awake and growing in the Spirit dwelling in our true self is God’s call to each of us, and with his grace it becomes the greatest blessing we can receive, and our most profound gift to others. To be awake is to live in the presence of God!
Let us pray for the courage to travel to our true-self, and to embrace the anxiousness of change, that we may come to the fullness of life. Lord, be our good Shepard, lead us to the fullness of life that we may rest besides peaceful waters with you forever. Amen.