Matthew 25:1-13
1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps.
8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 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.’ 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.
11 Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Expecting the unexpected
Still today in some Middle Eastern villages, on the night before the wedding, the bride is hidden in her parents' house. They wait for the groom to arrive and discover where she is. Sometimes the groom arrives early and sometimes late. When he approaches the bride's family house, his friends start shouting or blowing horns to announce his arrival. The celebrating friends of the bride, especially the bridesmaids, go into the street joyfully chanting and dancing while holding their lit lamps. This is the contextual background of this parable.
Fifth century Christian oil lamp
More in depth, when we think that everything is under control, unexpected events can happen. How are we to react? If we anticipate, plan and prepare ourselves for the unexpected before it happens, we are able to handle the situation with self-confidence and self-control and continue towards our goal.
This is what happens with the five wise maidens. They bring provision to be used in case their lamps are short of oil. In due time, they are ready to join the groom's procession and enter the banquet with him.
Ten maidens slept, but five of them are properly equipped to join the procession as soon as the groom arrives. They are waiting for his arrival and are prepared for every emergency.
The five foolish maidens want to join the procession as well but they do not think about their need for oil to keep their lamps lit. When they discover that they are short of oil, it is too late to find some. They miss their target because time passes, and the door is closed.
The Church has chosen this Gospel for this Sunday to remind us that we are close to the end of the liturgical year. The new year starts with Advent in a few weeks. This time is known as "Already, but not Yet." The Kingdom is already here with Jesus' first coming, but not yet fully achieved because we are waiting for His second coming.
Those who love Him and are living His commandments are the wise ones who keep their lamps lit through their acts. Those who claim that they love Him without living according to His commandments and don't repent in due time are the foolish ones.
Where do I stand today? Do I love Him? Do I believe in His second coming? Am I aware that He invites me to join His procession? Do I really try my best to be among those wise Faithful who will be partaking in the "Banquet of the Lamb" (Revelation 19:9)? May it be so. Amen.