The Wise are Always Prepared

Scripture:  Matthew 25:1-13

1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For 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, they all slumbered and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, `Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7 Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise replied, `Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, `Lord, lord, open to us.' 12 But he replied, `Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Reflection: Jesus frequently uses the image of a wedding and wedding feasts in His parable about God's Kingdom. Because a wedding is an image of the union God wants to have with us forever and the feast is an image of eternal life of love and complete happiness with Him. God invites us everyday to the heavenly feast and calls us to prepare ourselves. In the parable of the ten maidens, Jesus showed that the wise are always prepared and therefore worthy to join the feast. 

The wisdom of the maidens who came prepared with oil in their lamps made them fit to be part of the wedding feast. The maidens who were unprepared were called foolish and they paid for it by not being allowed to join the feast. It may seem strange to have to reject someone because they have no oil in their lamps, but it makes sense to Jesus' audience at that time. It is the custom for grooms then was to come in his bride's village at anytime he pleases without announcing it. The groom takes the long route around the village so that many could join the wedding procession and once they arrive the doors are shut and only those who have joined in the procession are allowed to go inside. If the groom comes at night, those who are prepared with oil in their lamps may join the procession to the feast. Those who have no lamps are not allowed to go out in the streets at night and cannot join the procession and the feast. 

Jesus calls us to prepare every single day "for you know neither the day nor the hour." We spend our lives satisfying our desires while neglecting to reach out to others. Our selfishness hurt the people around us and especially God who calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. When Jesus returns as the triumphant Lord and Judge of all, will He find us doing His Will or doing our selfish will? Are we prepared for the day of the Lord's coming? 

May God give us the grace to be ready and worthy to join His heavenly banquet.