Thoughts for the Day

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” 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.” 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. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In Britain we celebrate 'Remembrance Sunday' today, to remember those who have been killed in war, but since these 'Thoughts' go to many countries, I want to widen the subject with its reading from Matthew's Gospel.

This parable is also known as 'The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins'. Around 1800 Thomas Blake the poet and artist, painted the first of four versions of the subject for his patron Thomas Butts, and the watercolour above is the first of these. The wise bridesmaids are on the left, tall, pale, elegant and semi-transparent - almost like marble sculptures - as suits those on their way to Heaven, we might say. Whereas the foolish bridesmaids, desperately trying to find more oil for their lamps, are shown as darker, more solid figures, depicting those not being gathered into Heaven. Above at the top of the picture is an angel with a trumpet, almost completely transparent, as befits one who is already close to God. He is calling all those who are spiritually awake, for the time of judgement has arrived.

The parable as told by Jesus, reminds us that when the moment comes - when the "bridegroom" arrives - or as we might say when "Jesus returns" for His Second Coming, then we need to be ready to go with Him. This can also be used to describe the moment of death, and whether we shall be ready for God's call. Will we be spiritually awake or spiritually asleep? It's a question that faced all who offered their lives for their country, and faces each one of us today.

Lord Jesus Christ,
as we live our daily life,
may we not forget to include You
in all that we do.
May we ask Your advice;
keep in close contact;
listen for Your voice;
and be ready for the
coming of Your Kingdom.
Amen.

Collect for Remembrance Sunday

Almighty Father,
whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son,
the King of all:
govern the hearts and minds of those in authority,
and bring the families of the nations,
divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,
to be subject to his just and gentle rule;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever.
Amen.