Nov122023
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A New Way to Enjoy Life

There are 10 Virgins. 5 have oil, and five do not. Why? In order to have olive oil for lighting your lamps, you need to grow an olive tree. You have to prune it so you have abundant olives. You need to pick the olives off the tree, pit them, bring them to the local town garden, and crush them up with the millstone at harvest. Then, you must crush them in burlap bags so the oil oozes out. Finally, you collect it in a flask. Remember, Jesus always said that the harvest is ready, but the laborers are few.

When I was growing up with my four brothers, my father said, “I have an idea. Let’s grow a vegetable garden.” My brothers and I thought that was a terrible idea. We kids did not have a lot of fun time. We had to go to school, do homework, and go to bed early. My father did not tell us he would plant the garden in front of the old chicken coop. The soil was rich there, and the vegetables grew like they were on steroids. We took the vegetables at harvest and entered them into the Foxborough County Fair. Hundreds of people brought their vegetables from their gardens. We beat them all. We received lots of blue ribbons. My father taught us a new way to have fun. Winning.

Likewise, Jesus says, “Hey, I have a good idea that no one has. Let’s forgive 70 times a day, love enemies, and carry the cross every day. When someone insults you, turn the other cheek. When someone takes your coat, give them your shirt as well. And the foolish virgins said “That is a terrible plan.” The wise virgins declared, “We can do that. And the wise virgins found a new way to have fun—party with the bridegroom.

Here is the faith lesson here. When Jesus opens His mouth to say something, we will probably not like it, but if you listen and follow the instructions, you will discover a new way to enjoy life. 

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