There was a song popular back in the 70s by Harry Chapin. It’s one of those songs that keeps reappearing every now and then because of its timeless message... somewhat like the message of the Gospel is timeless.

This heart-wrenching song speaks about father who finally realizes that he was never a father to his son and who always postponed being a father to his son.

“He learned to walk while I was away....and as he grew he said: ‘I’m gonna be like you, Dad, you know I’m gonna be like you.’”

“thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let’s play can you teach me to throw?” I said, “not today, I got a lot to do.”

“I’ve long since retired; my son’s moved away; I called him up just the other day ... I said, ‘I’d like to see you if you don’t mind.’ He said: ‘I’d love to Dad, if I could find the time....my new job’s a hassle, and the kids have the flu, but it’s sure nice talking to you, Dad.’”

The father procrastinated being a father until it was too late. He was never there for his son, and his son ended up not being there for his father.

On this Sunday we hear some strange sounding readings. The first one speaks about wisdom, the beauty of wisdom, the characteristics of wisdom. In this context, wisdom is not “smarts”, the ability to know the answers, the aptitude of passing all the tests. Rather, wisdom means prudence, knowing what to do and when to do it. The practical gift of wisdom guides us in prudent living.

Then, in the Gospel, we have personified the struggle between wisdom or prudence and foolhardiness. The five wise virgins were prepared for the coming of the bridegroom; the five foolish were not prepared; they did not bring enough oil for their lamps. The story’s message focuses on the need to be prepared, to be ready for God because we never know when God will come. In other words, never procrastinate in our relationship with God.

The father in the song “Cats in the Cradle” is like those five foolish virgins. He and they enmeshed themselves in lots of things but forgot about the most important. Then, suddenly, time comes to an end.

Our Gospel message wants to awaken us. We must always prepare for what is most important. God is not some kind of big boogie man trying to catch us off-guard. The story does not point to a God wanting to catch us unaware. Rather, the story teaches us God’s presence, a presence for which we must be prepared.

The foolish virgins were caught off guard because the groom arrived while they were out buying oil. In the song, the father was caught off guard because his procrastination ultimately led to his missing his son’s life.

Our message is quite simple. In life, some things cannot be put off to the last minute. Procrastinating with the important things of life could lead to our being caught off guard. Remember what the groom said to the foolish virgins: “I do not know who you are.”

Our scriptures invite us to investigate our lives and seek what needs attention before Jesus comes to call us home. Invoke wisdom and prudence and get it done.

Where will you be and how prepared will you be when Jesus, the bridegroom, comes? This small prayer might help:

Lord, help us stop putting things off. Help us realize that certain things in life can’t be borrowed or bought at the last minute. Help us realize that this is our time. This is our day, and it is passing faster than we can imagine.