A text – Matthew 25:1-13
25:1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
25:2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
25:3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;
25:4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
25:5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept.
25:6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
25:7 Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps.
25:8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
25:9 But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’
25:10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut.
25:11 Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’
25:12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’
25:13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
A reflection:
Here is a parable about waiting and what happens in the meantime.
The wise young women have prepared in case they need to wait. Things can go awry and unplanned delays can crop up. I come from the far north, where weather can easily become an obstacle to the best laid plans. You never go on a road trip in winter without a survival kit in your car. You know that, at some point, you will need it, or at least need some kind of way to survive the inevitable wait.
The young women know that what they wait for will be worth it, even if they fall asleep in the meantime. That is what encourages them to be prepared to wait for it. We know the kingdom of heaven and our participation in it will be worth the wait, even if it seems to take forever to come. In these strange days, when we see and read about violence and destruction, we do not lose our hope and anticipation that better times are ahead, or if not, that our Lord has us in the palm of his hand and his kingdom will come. So our hope remains strong and we prepare to wait as long as needed for our time to come.
And here’s the thing about hope: it gives us energy, and it inspires hope in others. Hope is contagious. Prepare wisely, make your plans and get your supplies in order. And sing a song of hope as you do. Your hope and preparation will inspire other more foolish human beings to be ready for the party and the life to come, no matter how long the wait.
A prayer:
Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for inspiring us with hope for your banquet and for life with you. Help us to prepare for a long wait, and remain hopeful in that waiting. Help us to let our hope inspire others to prepare and wait in hope with us for your promised future. Amen.
Short Dwellings in the Word by Dr. Pat Taylor Ellison 