“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For 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, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
-Matthew 25:1-13, ESV
Outside, Looking In
One of my favorite axioms is “If you wait until the last minute, it only takes a minute.” I’ve shared that with friends over the years to lighten their spirit when they talk stressfully about being behind when an important deadline is approaching. Of course, the reality is that waiting until the last minute only ensures one of two things: the work will be subpar, at best, or will likely be incomplete. In either case, waiting until the last-minute leaves us unready to meet the challenge we had plenty of time to prepare for.
Five of the ten young women were woefully unprepared to meet the bridegroom. All of us can likely relate to forgetting something important, leaving it behind. Even if the five had only taken the time to double-check once they arrived at their destination, they would at least have had an opportunity to find oil at a merchant. Not only were they unprepared to begin with, they also didn’t take the time to check at any point during their journey.
When the last minute arrived and they found themselves without oil, we can sense in them the same anxiety that we might have had. The panic when they realize they had no oil. The bargaining with the other five to use theirs. The rush against time to find a shop open at midnight (if only this parable were happening two thousand years later, they might have found a Galilee 7-Eleven around the corner). And finally, the anguish they must have felt when they finally returned only to find an empty street.
I feel regret for the five when they finally arrive to locked doors at the banquet hall. There’s nothing worse than feeling left out. The pain must have been compounded when hearing the joyful festivities just beyond the door. Try as they might, even begging does not open the doors once the celebration begins.
On this first day of Advent, we recall this parable of Jesus telling of a yet unknown time when the Son of Man will return to bring the fulfillment of the Kingdom of Heaven. Those of us who watch faithfully will be prepared for the wedding feast as five of the young women were. Until then, we have plenty of oil to sustain our lamps and fuel our faith. The Church has provided us this fuel through the ancient three-fold practice of prayer - our regular celebration of Holy Eucharist, praying the Daily Office, and our third practice of personal devotion. The five who were prepared couldn't share their oil with the others. We can’t share in that same excuse. The oil that the Church provides for us is enough for all. We only have to be willing to share it with others. It’s oil that cannot run out.
We still don’t know when, but the wedding feast is coming. Christ, the bridegroom, will return to fulfill the Kingdom. Prepare your torches, send out the invitations to your friends, share with them the oil that the Church can offer, and get ready for the celebration. Don’t wait until the last minute and be on the outside of the party looking in.
The Rev. Dion Crider
Deacon
Resurrection, OKC