Reading: Matthew 25:7-13
Matthew 25:13 – “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”
Continuing today in the parable of the ten bridesmaids, we see that they react well to the shout that woke them up. All ten bridesmaids tend to their lamps, trimming the wicks and relighting their lamps. The five foolish ones quickly realize their problem. They ask to borrow some oil. Connecting to the final day of judgment, some people will suddenly wake up and realize too late that they never claimed a faith of their own. In that moment, someone else’s faith will not be able to save them.
The five wise bridesmaids will not lend any oil to the foolish ones. In reality, they cannot: the faith that they have is their own. The bridegroom arrives and they follow him, lamps lit, into the wedding feast. The door is shut and locked. Later, the five foolish bridesmaids knock on the door, seeking admission. They even call out, “Lord, Lord…” In response, the Lord says, “Believe me, I don’t know you.” The “oil” that they bought is not true oil. There will be some folks that go to church or do other “religious” things but do not have a personal saving relationship with Jesus.
Stepping out of the parable and talking to his followers – then and now – Jesus says, “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.” We must always keep watch for Jesus. We must keep awake, tending to our faith so that we always have “oil” in our “lamps.” We must be alert and attentive to the ways that Jesus becomes present to us in the face of a stranger or in our brothers and sisters in Christ. While we do not know the day or hour, we do know what is required of us as followers of Jesus Christ. Each day, every day, may our love of God and neighbor be revealed in all that we do and say and think.
Prayer: Lord God, when we are tempted to go to sleep on our faith – even for a little nap – stir up our hearts by the power of your Holy Spirit. When we’re tempted by a “next time” or “later” attitude, rattle our awareness of your charge to always love here and now. Help us to always shine your love out into the world. Amen.
