Thoughts for the Day

‘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)the arrival of the bridegroom.

Thoughts

21 years ago this August there was a total solar eclipse of the sun in Cornwall. The previous one had been in 1927, so this was going to be amazing. Thousands travelled there from everywhere including two youngsters I knew. They like everyone else were very excited. They travelled over night from the Midlands and set up their tent on a hillside to see the full eclipse, and they caught up on a bit of sleep. Unfortunately though, they missed the moment when the birds stopped singing and the world went black. In fact they slept through the whole eclipse.

Jesus tells the parable of the ten bridesmaids, who miss out on celebrating the arrival of the bridegroom because they have fallen asleep and forgotten to take spare oil for their lamps. However, we should remember that for a wedding the invitations went out for the day, but not the time the bridegroom would arrive, and the trick was for the groom and his supporters to surprise everyone.

This parable is aimed at the Jews, who were God's chosen people, who have been longing for the coming of the Messiah, but they are unprepared and will be shut out from God's kingdom, but it's also aimed at us. Jesus has said He will come back, and we need to be prepared for Him and not sleeping. Secondly, we cannot borrow someone else's faith, we must possess it for ourself. Then Jesus Christ will invite us into the fullness of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may we not forget Your promise to return.
May we be awake, and ready
for the time when You will call us to You.
Strengthen our faith and teach us
all that we need too know,
so that we might be active Christians
and encourage others on their journey.
Amen.