Scripture Readings: Wisdom 6.12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18; Matthew 25.1-13
“The reign of God can be likened to ten young women who took their lamps and went out to welcome a bridegroom, five were wise and five were foolish.” – Matthew 25.1-2
For us who live in the age of electricity, Sunday’s parable doesn’t make its point easily. In the first century, nightfall on moonless nights brought black-outs. The small Herodian lamps that archaeologists have found from this period fit in the hand and hold an amount of oil that burns roughly overnight.
Apparently wedding feasts began on bridegroom time. The delay is key in the parable. Some people expected Jesus to return in glory soon. When Matthew writes about A.D. 85, Christians are no longer expecting Jesus’ imminent return. Instead they are reflecting on how to live wisely and faithfully during the indeterminate delay before his second coming.
No one knows when the bridegroom will come. In our faith journeys we need to explore what fuels our lamps and lights the path of Christian living for us. The oil may be time alone in solitude, retreats, meditation, spiritual reading. The oil may involve interacting in groups with others, sharing faith and insights. The oil may be Eucharist and the community of people who gather to remember what Jesus asked on the night before he died.
What actions in your life have proved wisest to keep your light burning?