If it is true that, in the economy of God’s grace, the workers of the last hour receive the same wages as those who have worked all day, the life of faith is not something that can be postponed until the last moment. Salvation is a free gift, but the human response requires active and continuous preparation.
Living as Christians is not an improvised act: it requires constant effort, sustained by wisdom, the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is our responsibility to keep our lamps lit and supplied with oil — that spiritual fuel made up of prayer, the sacraments and works of charity — which illuminates the path towards our definitive encounter with Christ.
Faithfulness to God admits neither delays nor excuses. The time of mercy is now. When the Bridegroom arrives at midnight, only those who have kept the flame of faith alive in their daily lives will be able to enter with him into the eternal banquet. The preparation of an entire lifetime is decided in the faithfulness of each day.