Today, as I reflect on the parable of the ten bridesmaids in Matthew 25, I am struck by how relevant it still is for us. In Jewish tradition, a wedding was a long-awaited celebration. After the betrothal, the groom would go away to prepare a home, and the bride never knew the exact day or hour he would return. Only the groom’s father knew. Often, the groom would come at night, with a friend running ahead shouting, “Behold, the bridegroom is coming!” The bridesmaids would then light their lamps and join the joyful procession to the wedding feast. If they weren’t ready, they would miss it. This is the backdrop…

Last week and this week, I was reminded again of a simple but powerful truth: when I am weak, Jesus is strong in me. I had two important events. The first was an Atomy event, where I had to stand on stage and present to an audience of over 40 people. On the very day I was to present, I fell sick — cough, flu, the cold. I remember standing in the washroom beforehand, praying and asking God to strengthen me. When I finally stood in front of the audience, something amazing happened. The sickness seemed to pause. I carried through the whole event without a problem, and only later…