November 8
Deacon’s Digest
Several years ago I met a woman at a special event that was welcoming new immigrants to the United States. This woman had been an American Citizen for many years so she was part of the welcoming committee. As we chatted, she told me that she was from Sudan (prior to its split into north and south) but that she came here from Kenya. When I asked her to tell me how she ended up in Kenya and then Sioux Falls this is what she told me:
Living in the southern part of Sudan as teenagers, my brothers and I thought we had it made. Our father was a pastor in the local Episcopalian Church and we were considered a "middle class" family. There was a lot of trouble in our country and militia groups routinely attacked villages - but we didn't think about it at all, we were safe from all of that. Even though the threat seemed remote, our father made us keep a "go-bag" ready in our bedrooms all the time. This backpack was filled with nonperishable food, two changes of clothing, a good pair of walking shoes and some water. Every once in a while, father made us check the bag and replace the food and water. We thought it was a waste of time - until one day. Out of nowhere our village was suddenly overrun by crazy men in pickup trucks who were shooting people (mostly men) and setting fire to homes and cars. Although our father and older brother were killed and our mother was missing, my younger brother and I knew just what to do. We ran home, grabbed our "go-bags" and headed southeast toward Kenya. We were joined by others and about 30 of us traveled together. Some of them didn't have any supplies or resources and didn't make it far. A few died and others took the chance of returning to our village. Those of us who were well supplied made it all the way to Kenya and were warmly welcomed by the country and were shown great hospitality in the refugee camp. When she asked the camp attendants how she could ever get out and have a "normal life" they told her that to get resettled she would have to have skills. Only 1% of refugees are ever resettled so she sought to improve herself. Over the next years she learned English and French, she helped teach children in the camp, she learned a great deal about cooking with rice and making it go a long way and she became married and had children. After 17 years in the refugee camp she was sent to Sioux Falls, SD where she and her family have lived for the past 15 years.
This woman's story has some parallels to the Gospel for this weekend. The wise virgins were ready in case the bridegroom was delayed - the foolish virgins were not. My new friend and her brother made it all the way to safety because their father had made sure they would be ready. She and her family were able to get out of the refugee camp and to a new life in Sioux Falls because she developed some skills.
As we approach the end of the Church calendar (in just three weeks) the readings become much more ominous and much more about being prepared for the end. Will we be wise and prepare for the end that EVERY person will experience some day or will we put things off thinking that we have plenty of time? Who knows when the Bridegroom will come for us? It could be many years or maybe just a few short days.
Is your "go-bag" ready? Have you filled it with Grace through prayer, Sacraments, Scripture, and participation in the Liturgy? Have you served and sacrificed for the good of others - always placing their needs in front of your own? Do you see God in others and in nature? Living this way you come to live a life of virtue and find it easier to put aside the vices and temptations that come. If so, you will likely have what it takes to make the journey whether the Bridegroom shows up soon or is delayed in coming.