Be Prepared

For many years Alice had been a top student in all her classes: in elementary school, high school and college. Three years after earning her undergraduate degree, she was still in school doing graduate work. Her parents were proud of her scholastic achievements, but they still worried about her future. Like many parents, they were watching and waiting for the day when their daughter would be securely married. But Alice was not about to become a bride until the right man came along — and her standards were very exacting. She was looking for “Mr. Perfect.” And this finally placed her in somewhat of a dilemma. As she explained to her parents: “For several months I have been dating two men. One is handsome, intelligent, witty, kind and considerate, and he has plenty of money too. The other wants to marry me.”

In today’s Lesson, Jesus tells a parable about a wedding ceremony in which ten bridesmaids are watching and waiting for a bridegroom.…