I tend to get excited about projects, and sometimes my excitement backfires. When we first moved into our current home, I decided one weekend that I needed to knock down the high weeds that had grown during the winter.

So I borrowed a friend's pickup truck, rented a giant gas-powered weed eating machine, and thought I was ready to go. Then I realized I didn't have the right string for the weed eater. I went back to the shop and bought more. I returned home, and realized I didn't have the right fuel mix. I drove back to the store and bought the proper oil to mix with gasoline.

This went on for the better part of the day. Finally, when I had everything I needed, it was getting dark. It was too late.

You can probably guess that I was never a Boy Scout. Their motto, of course, is "Be Prepared." It's a good motto. Proper preparation not only saves you time, it can save your life in a difficult situation. Anticipating the tools and resources you might need for a project, or in case of an emergency, can make a huge difference.

We are learning that now in the aftermath of the Gulf Coast hurricanes. We have been asked to store food, water, medication and other necessities in case we are stranded for several days by some kind of natural disaster.

We are called to be prepared spiritually as well. In today's Gospel reading, Jesus tells of the story of wise and foolish young women, who were to be waiting for the wedding party to start with oil in their lamps in order to light the way of the arriving groom. When the groom arrived, some had not saved enough oil and asked the others, who were adequately prepared, to share. They are denied because there is not enough fuel left.

"Therefore, stay awake," Jesus says, "for you know neither the day nor the hour."

We are challenged to always be prepared for the arrival of Jesus Christ in our world --- not just in some sort apocalyptic event but in our everyday lives. Is Jesus reaching out to you in the presence of a stranger, in the voice of a family member, or through the needs of a co-worker?

I don't know about you, but I rarely take the time to consider the possibility. I am preoccupied with my own needs most of the time. I am not prepared to greet the Lord in whatever form he might take.

When I was in college, I spent a summer in India as a short term missionary. One of the Christian leaders we met told us we should always "be prepared to preach, pray or die." I'm rarely prepared for any of these opportunities. Jesus calls us to the same thing. "Stay awake!" he commands us.

We are asked to be prepared at all times, to be ready to welcome him into our world and our lives, whether it is through a dramatic event or an every day occurrence. To do so we must keep our own faith strong, so that when Jesus does come into our lives, we will be able to recognize him and welcome him.

Bill Peatman writes from Napa.