Prepared Or Not?
Preaching
Preaching the Parables
Series II, Cycle A
Object:
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9But 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.' 10And 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. 11Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' 12But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
Weddings are wonderful! That is an expression you may hear frequently at the announcement of such an event. A lot of planning and expense usually go into making the event a special and joyous time. In our culture family and friends will travel long distances to be present at the ceremony.
Almost every culture has extensive traditions and customs surrounding a wedding. They underscore the importance of the event. In our culture marriage is regulated by law. The state assumes that it has a stake in the proper arrangements and certification of a marriage. A wedding is an important and joyful community event.
The parable for today draws on the wedding ceremony and the traditions that surround it. Unhappy are those who for lack of adequate preparation miss the wedding. So are those who miss the kingdom of heaven and its joys.
Context
Context of the Lectionary
The parable and the following two come toward the end of the church year. It is fitting that the Gospel readings are three parables dealing with eschatology. They are three of the most familiar parables: the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, the parable of the Talents and the parable of the Separation of the Sheep and Goats. Each of the parables deals with separation between those rewarded or accepted into the kingdom and those who are not.
Context of Matthew
The parable and the next two are placed in the last block of teaching materials in Matthew before the account of the final events of Jesus' life. They each give a likeness to the consequences of persons' response to the kingdom. The parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins concludes with the rejection of those who do not prepare adequately for the coming of final events in history. The parable of the Talents speaks of wasted use of opportunities to act for the kingdom. The third portrays a final judgment between those who act on behalf of the kingdom in this world and those who do not act in accord with its character.
Context of a Wedding
Jesus frequently compares the kingdom to a glorious feast of the king or of a wedding. In a Jewish wedding the bride waits at her father's house until the bridegroom comes to get her. She then accompanies him to his house where the ceremony takes place. On the way other participants in the wedding join the party and accompany the bridegroom and the bride to the festivities.
The time when the bridegroom would arrive to claim his bride was uncertain so that it would be a surprise. The bridegroom would come at night, so lamps were needed. Lamps were small clay vessels affixed to a staff. The vessels contained olive oil and had a wick for the flame. The vessels would need to be refilled from time to time as the people waited for the bridegroom to come.
Context of the Lectionary
The First Lesson. (Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25) The passage is part of Joshua's farewell address to the people. He commits his house to serve the Lord. When the people responded that they will also, he warns them of what that means, especially if they do not keep their commitment. He proceeds to make a covenant and tells them the regulations that it implied.
The Second Lesson. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) The Thessalonians were disturbed that some had died and would not be alive for the second coming of Christ. Paul assures them that those asleep would not be treated differently from those still alive at Christ's return. The passage is related to today's Gospel reading by looking at death as sleep and the maidens sleeping while waiting for the bridegroom.
The Gospel. (Matthew 25:1-13) The parable tells of the contrast of the five maidens who give thought beforehand to be prepared. Five others are caught unprepared and miss the great event.
Psalm. (Psalm 78:1-7) The psalm underscores the need to transmit the faith to coming generations. Each new generation must remember what God has done and respond to him in obedience to his commands.
Context of Related Scriptures
Psalm 45:14 -- The virgins who are companions of the bride follow her.
Psalm 119:105 -- The word is a lamp for guidance.
Matthew 5:15-16 -- The works of the members of the kingdom are like a lamp that gives light to glorify the heavenly Father.
Mark 15:35-36 -- An admonition to watch and not sleep.
2 Corinthians 11:2 -- The church is described as a chaste virgin to be presented to Christ.
2 Peter 1:19 -- The prophetic message served as a lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawns.
Revelation 19:7 -- The marriage of the Lamb to the bride who is ready.
Revelation 21:2 -- The new Jerusalem as a bride adorned for her husband.
Content
Content of the Parable
The parable uses a similarity between a wedding celebration and the kingdom of heaven. The point of the parable is the need for constant preparedness for the kingdom to break into daily existence. Some of the details of the parable lend themselves to further interpretation.
The use of the figure of the bridegroom makes an evident connection between the appearance of Jesus and the announcement of the presence of the kingdom. The early church with its expectation of an early return of Jesus to bring the kingdom to fulfillment understood the parable to speak of that coming event.
No mention is made of the bride. From the context a bride is self-evident. Who then are the ten maidens who waited for the coming of the wedding party? Were they the contemporary parties? The wise maidens might be the disciples who were prepared to answer the call of Jesus and follow him. The foolish maidens could be the chief priests, the scribes and the Pharisees who expected a messiah to come and deliver Israel from its oppressors yet they were not prepared to respond either to John the Baptist or Jesus when they proclaimed the presence of the kingdom of God.
The joy of the wedding feast is contrasted with those who were left on the outside in the dark looking into the house where the festivities were in process.
Precis of the Parable
A wedding ceremony is anticipated. A group of ten maidens were awaiting the event, expecting to be part of the wedding party. They had their lamps chasing away the darkness of the night. The bridegroom lingered. Finally about midnight the word is spread that the bridegroom and bride are about to arrive.
Half of the five maidens suddenly realize that their lamps are flickering low and are about to die out. They are without oil to keep the lamps burning. They turn in desperation to the other five and want them to share the oil they have in reserve for just such a contingency. But the five who had come prepared for a long wait know that if they share their supply, all the lamps will be extinguished before they arrive at the house of the bridegroom. That would certainly dampen the atmosphere of celebration. So while they may regret it, they feel compelled to refuse the request.
The five who did not bring a reserve scurry about to find more oil. Since it is night the shops are closed. By the time they succeed in finding a new supply and return, the wedding party has already entered the house of the bridegroom and the ceremony is underway. When the five maidens arrive and knock on the door, their entrance would be an intrusion and disrupt the gay proceedings. They are denied entrance with the rather harsh reply that they are unknown to the bridegroom.
The parable ends with the admonition to keep awake and be in constant readiness, for the time of the coming of the kingdom is unknown.
Thesis: Prepare for the crisis of the kingdom which may come unexpectedly.
Theme: Seize the day!
Key Words in the Parable
1. "Ten." (v. 1) Numbers in Israel had more of a qualitative meaning than a quantitative designation. Ten was a number of completeness, such as the ten tribes of Israel, the ten commandments and the prescription that where ten adult Jewish males were present in one place, a synagogue should be organized.
2. "Lamps." (v. 1) In biblical imagery lamps are usually identified with the word of God or the witness of the faithful which illuminates and shows direction for life.
3. "Bridegroom." (v. 1) The bridegroom is symbolic in this parable of Jesus. The advent of the kingdom in some special sense was identified with the coming of Jesus, both in his initial appearance in the flesh and in his expected second coming.
4. "Five... foolish; five wise." (v. 2) The indication of half who were wise and half who were foolish probably suggested the incompleteness of the kingdom's manifestation in history. Even in Judaism, and later in the church, not everyone who professed to be obedient to God was really prepared to do so.
5. "Midnight." (v. 6) Midnight is symbolic of the darkest hour, halfway between sundown (6 p.m.) and sunrise (6 a.m.).
6. "Trimmed Their Lamps." (v. 7) The clay lamps had a cotton wick. As the oil was depleted the wick would burn and become black. It had to be trimmed so that it would only burn the oil. Otherwise the lamp would give a dull yellow flame instead of a bright blue flame.
7. "Lord, Lord." (v. 11) Again the euphemism for the name of God is used. It is reminiscent of the vain use of the name by those who mouthed it but were not ready to submit themselves in obedience to the Lord.
8. "I do not Know You." (v. 12) A typical Aramaic expression. It means that I will not have anything to do with you!
9. "Keep Awake." (v. 13) The admonition to keep awake is given just prior to the arrest and trial of Jesus. The disciples slept in the Garden of Gethsemane and consequently were unprepared for the events that followed. They fled and betrayed Jesus. Matthew no doubt was intentional in placing this parable in close proximity to the Garden of Gethsemane events.
Contemplation
Insights
1. Uncertainty. The parable deals with the uncertainty of an event. Uncertainty is one of the chief causes of temptation. So often we can rise to meet a crisis. It is during the time when nothing seems to be happening that we become lax and succumb to temptation. Our fears of anticipation may also be worse than the consequence of the event itself.
2. Apathy. A great enemy of the church is apathy. Many churches have a lot of so-called dead wood. They are people who are on the membership list but do not attend except possibly on the high holy days of Christmas and Easter, or for such events as weddings, baptisms and funerals. They do not contribute more than token amounts to keep their name on the roll. They do not assume any responsibilities for the program of the church. A continuing challenge is to find some way to shout, "Look! Here is the bridegroom. Come out and meet him."
3. State of Readiness. It is hard to maintain a constant state of readiness. Life calls for a rhythm between activity and rest. All ten maidens slept while they waited. Sleeping is not denigrated. In fact, adequate sleep is necessary for readiness. Studies show that people who are sleep deprived over an extended period of time are more prone to accidents and illness, are less efficient in their work and are more irritable. Sleep can, however, be used as an escape from responsibility. Sleep can be interrupted or postponed on occasion for special demands without ill effects.
4. The Unexpected. History is full of surprises. We may see cause and effect in retrospect. It is hard to see the effects of many things in prospect, especially in complex relationships where many factors affect the outcome. One of the most indeterminate factors is the freedom of human responses. The consequences of Jesus' death and resurrection are easier to see with hindsight. How and when the kingdom may break into history in powerful ways in the future cannot be fully anticipated. Therefore it is important to watch and be prepared. The signs of the kingdom's coming into our personal lives or into larger social movements cannot always be perceived in advance to those who are attentive and receptive to them.
5. No Borrowed Oil. The five unprepared maidens wanted the other five to give them some of their oil. They could not do so without running short themselves. One must be careful in pushing details of a parable too hard to fit some notion. If we assume that the oil for the lamps in the parable is symbolic of our works which are the light which shows God's glory, as suggested in Matthew 5:15-16, then the oil for our lamps is our works. The doctrine of supererogation contends that Jesus and certain other persons have earned more merit than they need for salvation. Since salvation is not a matter of merit, but of grace, we do not need to appropriate another's merit. Indeed, we need not and we cannot borrow from another to light our lamps. It is a responsibility we have to be prepared to accept for ourselves.
6. Recognized by the Bridegroom. The foolish maidens who were tardy in arriving at the wedding were not recognized. If we accept the assumption that it is our works that provide the fuel for the light of our lamps, then that light cannot wait until the last moment to be recognized. A time comes when it is too late. If we are citizens of the kingdom, then our character should manifest it. The beatitude says that it is the peacemaker who is a child of God, that is, shares the divine characteristic that demonstrates origin. Character is not acquired instantly. It is the result of a process of actions that lead to recognition of our true parentage.
Homily Hints
1. Oil for My Lamp. (v. 4) We can use a variety of resources to keep our lamp lit.
A. Prayer and Meditation
B. Steeping Ourselves in Scripture
C. Regular Worship
D. Serving Other's Needs
2. The Bridegroom Comes. (v. 6) Christ comes in many ways to awaken us and invites us to join the wedding banquet.
A. Through the Examples of Others
B. Through Events Around Us
C. Through Personal Failure
3. Trim Your Lamps. (v. 7) People need to rid their lives of the debris that keeps the light from burning true and bright.
A. Habits of Commission
B. Habits of Omission
C. The Burden of Past Guilt
4. Knowing the Day and Hour. (v. 13) Some people are always trying to develop a timetable for the future. They make elaborate schemes purporting to know exactly how and when God will deal with history and its outcome. They do a great deal of mischief by raising false hopes which leads at times to bizarre behavior. We should not fall prey to such false expectations. We do so by being aware of steps to take in response to such schemes.
A. Do not Second Guess God
B. Do not Put God in a Straitjacket
C. Prepare for Any Eventuality
5. The Time is Now. (v. 13) Persons never know with certainty when the time of accountability will come. It may tarry until midnight. It may arrive sooner than we think. It may come as a surprise. Therefore, be alert and ready at all times.
A. Be Awake!
B. Be Watchful!
C. Be at God's Work!
Contact
Points of Contact
1. Reading the Future. People try many ways to read the future. Horoscopes in the daily papers attest to this desire to know how things will happen to us. Tarot cards, fortune cookies, Ouija boards and fortune tellers are some of the means people consult to try to determine their futures. All of these represent a lack of trust that God has the future in hand. For those who are in God's care, the future is not something to fear, but something to enter with confidence. People need to be reassured of this truth.
2. Life as Celebration. People look forward to events which give cause to celebrate -- weddings, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, birthdays, anniversaries. People who have had near-death experiences find their life priorities radically altered. Many find the new lease on life a reason to celebrate each new day as an opportunity that might have been lost. Jesus presented life in the kingdom as a royal banquet or as a wedding feast. Christians should not wait for the end of time -- either personally or as the Second Coming -- to celebrate life. Each day should start with a pause to celebrate the opportunities it brings to live in the kingdom.
3. Lost Opportunity. Fiction writers of short stories, novels, movies and TV programs often dwell on lost opportunities. Because of the development of the plot, the reader or viewer knows before the actors do the tragedy of missing a chance for something that could lead to fulfillment of a desire. In life it is too often only after the event that we know we missed an opportunity -- a word not spoken that could have changed a relationship, a bad choice at a critical moment, a wrong direction taken at a juncture in life. Life confronts us with choices and opportunities. None is more important than the choices that affect our eternal destiny. People need to think seriously about how they are prepared for the ultimate choice about the meaning of their lives.
4. Wisdom and Intelligence. Wisdom is not directly correlated with intelligence. Very smart people may not make any better choices in life than those who have lesser intelligence. A person with only marginal intelligence can show love to others and engage in a life of service. The response to the grace of forgiveness and empowerment to live in love, peace, joy, compassion, generosity and other such values can be received by anyone. The wisdom to be prepared to act according to the spirit of Christ is more to be valued than great feats of intelligence without these characteristics.
Points to Ponder
1. Absent Lord. This parable along with others in the series has an absent lord. The bridegroom has not yet appeared. People become atheists because they have no experience which they identify as an experience of the presence of God or as an encounter with Christ in their lives. The problem is to find ways to help them recognize the reality of God. Sometimes it may be an intellectual problem, such as a world view that does not allow for the existence of spiritual realities. It may also be a false conception of who God or Christ must be. It may also result from a poor, distorted or inadequate modeling by those who claim to know God in Christ Jesus. It may also be some ethical or moral barrier in their own lives which will not let God into their lives.
2. Awake or Asleep. The parable seems to have an internal inconsistency. All ten maidens are asleep when the shout arises that the bridegroom is coming. It makes no difference whether it is the wise or the foolish maidens. Then in the final verse of the pericope we find the admonition to be awake, as though the point of the parable is not lack of preparedness but being asleep when the Lord comes. Some commentators have suggested that this concluding verse is not part of the original parable, but was appended by Matthew or the early church. How do you harmonize the two? Or do you need to press every detail of a parable for consistency?
3. Maidens and Virgins. In the New Testament it is sometimes a question of how you translate the term which is either maiden or virgin. At the time, the two were considered identical. An unmarried young woman was automatically assumed to be a virgin. In the American culture today, many young people are active sexually at a very young age. It cannot be assumed just on age that a young man or woman is a virgin. Indeed, a growing problem is children having children when they are not mature enough to care for them. They have no stable support unless their parents or other adults provide the support. How should the church address both the problem of early, extra-marital sexual activity and the consequences in infants without the family support needed for them?
Illustrative Materials
1. The End Times. How do you act in anticipation of the end of the world and history as we know it? In the light of the long delay in that end coming, one should prepare as though history will continue for another 2000 years before the eschaton, but should live as though it could happen today.
2. Scout Motto. The scout motto is a good one for Christians also: "Be Prepared."
3. A State of Readiness. During the Cold War the U.S. and the USSR lived in a constant state of readiness for the possibility of a nuclear war. The U.S. Strategic Air Command had planes circling in the air 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to be prepared to respond to a nuclear attack.
4. The Attraction of a Bride. A couple had a two-year-old girl. They were taking her to a botanical garden. On the way they passed a cathedral where a wedding party was evident since the groom and his attendants were standing around in the parking lot. The child was taken inside and saw the bride before the ceremony began. She had no further interest in the botanical garden. She kept wanting to go see the bride again. On the return the doors to the cathedral were open. She was taken where she could see the wedding in progress. Just then the priest began praying and it came over the speakers very loudly. She was somewhat frightened and so they left. She still wanted to see the bride. As they went farther, they walked by the Hilton Hotel. A limousine pulled up with a wedding couple in it. They sat at the entrance without getting out for a while. The young girl was taken over to the limo. The couple opened the window and talked to her briefly. That was a highlight for the two-year-old. She talked about it for a long time afterward.
5. Surprises in History. Malthus developed a theory that the population growth would outstrip the growth of food, resulting in mass death and chaos. Even India and China which were earlier subject to periodic famines have stabilized food production for a much larger population than Malthus would have thought possible.
__________________
In the '60s the Club of Rome made some very pessimistic projections about the depletion of oil reserves by the year 2000. Approaching the year 2000 the known oil reserves now are greater than when they made the predictions.
__________________
For years many people were expecting that South Africa would only change the apartheid system as the result of a long and bloody civil war. They did not expect it to happen until at least the twenty-first century. The surprise is that the transition took place through a process of political negotiation and a relatively peaceful election.
Weddings are wonderful! That is an expression you may hear frequently at the announcement of such an event. A lot of planning and expense usually go into making the event a special and joyous time. In our culture family and friends will travel long distances to be present at the ceremony.
Almost every culture has extensive traditions and customs surrounding a wedding. They underscore the importance of the event. In our culture marriage is regulated by law. The state assumes that it has a stake in the proper arrangements and certification of a marriage. A wedding is an important and joyful community event.
The parable for today draws on the wedding ceremony and the traditions that surround it. Unhappy are those who for lack of adequate preparation miss the wedding. So are those who miss the kingdom of heaven and its joys.
Context
Context of the Lectionary
The parable and the following two come toward the end of the church year. It is fitting that the Gospel readings are three parables dealing with eschatology. They are three of the most familiar parables: the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, the parable of the Talents and the parable of the Separation of the Sheep and Goats. Each of the parables deals with separation between those rewarded or accepted into the kingdom and those who are not.
Context of Matthew
The parable and the next two are placed in the last block of teaching materials in Matthew before the account of the final events of Jesus' life. They each give a likeness to the consequences of persons' response to the kingdom. The parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins concludes with the rejection of those who do not prepare adequately for the coming of final events in history. The parable of the Talents speaks of wasted use of opportunities to act for the kingdom. The third portrays a final judgment between those who act on behalf of the kingdom in this world and those who do not act in accord with its character.
Context of a Wedding
Jesus frequently compares the kingdom to a glorious feast of the king or of a wedding. In a Jewish wedding the bride waits at her father's house until the bridegroom comes to get her. She then accompanies him to his house where the ceremony takes place. On the way other participants in the wedding join the party and accompany the bridegroom and the bride to the festivities.
The time when the bridegroom would arrive to claim his bride was uncertain so that it would be a surprise. The bridegroom would come at night, so lamps were needed. Lamps were small clay vessels affixed to a staff. The vessels contained olive oil and had a wick for the flame. The vessels would need to be refilled from time to time as the people waited for the bridegroom to come.
Context of the Lectionary
The First Lesson. (Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25) The passage is part of Joshua's farewell address to the people. He commits his house to serve the Lord. When the people responded that they will also, he warns them of what that means, especially if they do not keep their commitment. He proceeds to make a covenant and tells them the regulations that it implied.
The Second Lesson. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) The Thessalonians were disturbed that some had died and would not be alive for the second coming of Christ. Paul assures them that those asleep would not be treated differently from those still alive at Christ's return. The passage is related to today's Gospel reading by looking at death as sleep and the maidens sleeping while waiting for the bridegroom.
The Gospel. (Matthew 25:1-13) The parable tells of the contrast of the five maidens who give thought beforehand to be prepared. Five others are caught unprepared and miss the great event.
Psalm. (Psalm 78:1-7) The psalm underscores the need to transmit the faith to coming generations. Each new generation must remember what God has done and respond to him in obedience to his commands.
Context of Related Scriptures
Psalm 45:14 -- The virgins who are companions of the bride follow her.
Psalm 119:105 -- The word is a lamp for guidance.
Matthew 5:15-16 -- The works of the members of the kingdom are like a lamp that gives light to glorify the heavenly Father.
Mark 15:35-36 -- An admonition to watch and not sleep.
2 Corinthians 11:2 -- The church is described as a chaste virgin to be presented to Christ.
2 Peter 1:19 -- The prophetic message served as a lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawns.
Revelation 19:7 -- The marriage of the Lamb to the bride who is ready.
Revelation 21:2 -- The new Jerusalem as a bride adorned for her husband.
Content
Content of the Parable
The parable uses a similarity between a wedding celebration and the kingdom of heaven. The point of the parable is the need for constant preparedness for the kingdom to break into daily existence. Some of the details of the parable lend themselves to further interpretation.
The use of the figure of the bridegroom makes an evident connection between the appearance of Jesus and the announcement of the presence of the kingdom. The early church with its expectation of an early return of Jesus to bring the kingdom to fulfillment understood the parable to speak of that coming event.
No mention is made of the bride. From the context a bride is self-evident. Who then are the ten maidens who waited for the coming of the wedding party? Were they the contemporary parties? The wise maidens might be the disciples who were prepared to answer the call of Jesus and follow him. The foolish maidens could be the chief priests, the scribes and the Pharisees who expected a messiah to come and deliver Israel from its oppressors yet they were not prepared to respond either to John the Baptist or Jesus when they proclaimed the presence of the kingdom of God.
The joy of the wedding feast is contrasted with those who were left on the outside in the dark looking into the house where the festivities were in process.
Precis of the Parable
A wedding ceremony is anticipated. A group of ten maidens were awaiting the event, expecting to be part of the wedding party. They had their lamps chasing away the darkness of the night. The bridegroom lingered. Finally about midnight the word is spread that the bridegroom and bride are about to arrive.
Half of the five maidens suddenly realize that their lamps are flickering low and are about to die out. They are without oil to keep the lamps burning. They turn in desperation to the other five and want them to share the oil they have in reserve for just such a contingency. But the five who had come prepared for a long wait know that if they share their supply, all the lamps will be extinguished before they arrive at the house of the bridegroom. That would certainly dampen the atmosphere of celebration. So while they may regret it, they feel compelled to refuse the request.
The five who did not bring a reserve scurry about to find more oil. Since it is night the shops are closed. By the time they succeed in finding a new supply and return, the wedding party has already entered the house of the bridegroom and the ceremony is underway. When the five maidens arrive and knock on the door, their entrance would be an intrusion and disrupt the gay proceedings. They are denied entrance with the rather harsh reply that they are unknown to the bridegroom.
The parable ends with the admonition to keep awake and be in constant readiness, for the time of the coming of the kingdom is unknown.
Thesis: Prepare for the crisis of the kingdom which may come unexpectedly.
Theme: Seize the day!
Key Words in the Parable
1. "Ten." (v. 1) Numbers in Israel had more of a qualitative meaning than a quantitative designation. Ten was a number of completeness, such as the ten tribes of Israel, the ten commandments and the prescription that where ten adult Jewish males were present in one place, a synagogue should be organized.
2. "Lamps." (v. 1) In biblical imagery lamps are usually identified with the word of God or the witness of the faithful which illuminates and shows direction for life.
3. "Bridegroom." (v. 1) The bridegroom is symbolic in this parable of Jesus. The advent of the kingdom in some special sense was identified with the coming of Jesus, both in his initial appearance in the flesh and in his expected second coming.
4. "Five... foolish; five wise." (v. 2) The indication of half who were wise and half who were foolish probably suggested the incompleteness of the kingdom's manifestation in history. Even in Judaism, and later in the church, not everyone who professed to be obedient to God was really prepared to do so.
5. "Midnight." (v. 6) Midnight is symbolic of the darkest hour, halfway between sundown (6 p.m.) and sunrise (6 a.m.).
6. "Trimmed Their Lamps." (v. 7) The clay lamps had a cotton wick. As the oil was depleted the wick would burn and become black. It had to be trimmed so that it would only burn the oil. Otherwise the lamp would give a dull yellow flame instead of a bright blue flame.
7. "Lord, Lord." (v. 11) Again the euphemism for the name of God is used. It is reminiscent of the vain use of the name by those who mouthed it but were not ready to submit themselves in obedience to the Lord.
8. "I do not Know You." (v. 12) A typical Aramaic expression. It means that I will not have anything to do with you!
9. "Keep Awake." (v. 13) The admonition to keep awake is given just prior to the arrest and trial of Jesus. The disciples slept in the Garden of Gethsemane and consequently were unprepared for the events that followed. They fled and betrayed Jesus. Matthew no doubt was intentional in placing this parable in close proximity to the Garden of Gethsemane events.
Contemplation
Insights
1. Uncertainty. The parable deals with the uncertainty of an event. Uncertainty is one of the chief causes of temptation. So often we can rise to meet a crisis. It is during the time when nothing seems to be happening that we become lax and succumb to temptation. Our fears of anticipation may also be worse than the consequence of the event itself.
2. Apathy. A great enemy of the church is apathy. Many churches have a lot of so-called dead wood. They are people who are on the membership list but do not attend except possibly on the high holy days of Christmas and Easter, or for such events as weddings, baptisms and funerals. They do not contribute more than token amounts to keep their name on the roll. They do not assume any responsibilities for the program of the church. A continuing challenge is to find some way to shout, "Look! Here is the bridegroom. Come out and meet him."
3. State of Readiness. It is hard to maintain a constant state of readiness. Life calls for a rhythm between activity and rest. All ten maidens slept while they waited. Sleeping is not denigrated. In fact, adequate sleep is necessary for readiness. Studies show that people who are sleep deprived over an extended period of time are more prone to accidents and illness, are less efficient in their work and are more irritable. Sleep can, however, be used as an escape from responsibility. Sleep can be interrupted or postponed on occasion for special demands without ill effects.
4. The Unexpected. History is full of surprises. We may see cause and effect in retrospect. It is hard to see the effects of many things in prospect, especially in complex relationships where many factors affect the outcome. One of the most indeterminate factors is the freedom of human responses. The consequences of Jesus' death and resurrection are easier to see with hindsight. How and when the kingdom may break into history in powerful ways in the future cannot be fully anticipated. Therefore it is important to watch and be prepared. The signs of the kingdom's coming into our personal lives or into larger social movements cannot always be perceived in advance to those who are attentive and receptive to them.
5. No Borrowed Oil. The five unprepared maidens wanted the other five to give them some of their oil. They could not do so without running short themselves. One must be careful in pushing details of a parable too hard to fit some notion. If we assume that the oil for the lamps in the parable is symbolic of our works which are the light which shows God's glory, as suggested in Matthew 5:15-16, then the oil for our lamps is our works. The doctrine of supererogation contends that Jesus and certain other persons have earned more merit than they need for salvation. Since salvation is not a matter of merit, but of grace, we do not need to appropriate another's merit. Indeed, we need not and we cannot borrow from another to light our lamps. It is a responsibility we have to be prepared to accept for ourselves.
6. Recognized by the Bridegroom. The foolish maidens who were tardy in arriving at the wedding were not recognized. If we accept the assumption that it is our works that provide the fuel for the light of our lamps, then that light cannot wait until the last moment to be recognized. A time comes when it is too late. If we are citizens of the kingdom, then our character should manifest it. The beatitude says that it is the peacemaker who is a child of God, that is, shares the divine characteristic that demonstrates origin. Character is not acquired instantly. It is the result of a process of actions that lead to recognition of our true parentage.
Homily Hints
1. Oil for My Lamp. (v. 4) We can use a variety of resources to keep our lamp lit.
A. Prayer and Meditation
B. Steeping Ourselves in Scripture
C. Regular Worship
D. Serving Other's Needs
2. The Bridegroom Comes. (v. 6) Christ comes in many ways to awaken us and invites us to join the wedding banquet.
A. Through the Examples of Others
B. Through Events Around Us
C. Through Personal Failure
3. Trim Your Lamps. (v. 7) People need to rid their lives of the debris that keeps the light from burning true and bright.
A. Habits of Commission
B. Habits of Omission
C. The Burden of Past Guilt
4. Knowing the Day and Hour. (v. 13) Some people are always trying to develop a timetable for the future. They make elaborate schemes purporting to know exactly how and when God will deal with history and its outcome. They do a great deal of mischief by raising false hopes which leads at times to bizarre behavior. We should not fall prey to such false expectations. We do so by being aware of steps to take in response to such schemes.
A. Do not Second Guess God
B. Do not Put God in a Straitjacket
C. Prepare for Any Eventuality
5. The Time is Now. (v. 13) Persons never know with certainty when the time of accountability will come. It may tarry until midnight. It may arrive sooner than we think. It may come as a surprise. Therefore, be alert and ready at all times.
A. Be Awake!
B. Be Watchful!
C. Be at God's Work!
Contact
Points of Contact
1. Reading the Future. People try many ways to read the future. Horoscopes in the daily papers attest to this desire to know how things will happen to us. Tarot cards, fortune cookies, Ouija boards and fortune tellers are some of the means people consult to try to determine their futures. All of these represent a lack of trust that God has the future in hand. For those who are in God's care, the future is not something to fear, but something to enter with confidence. People need to be reassured of this truth.
2. Life as Celebration. People look forward to events which give cause to celebrate -- weddings, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, birthdays, anniversaries. People who have had near-death experiences find their life priorities radically altered. Many find the new lease on life a reason to celebrate each new day as an opportunity that might have been lost. Jesus presented life in the kingdom as a royal banquet or as a wedding feast. Christians should not wait for the end of time -- either personally or as the Second Coming -- to celebrate life. Each day should start with a pause to celebrate the opportunities it brings to live in the kingdom.
3. Lost Opportunity. Fiction writers of short stories, novels, movies and TV programs often dwell on lost opportunities. Because of the development of the plot, the reader or viewer knows before the actors do the tragedy of missing a chance for something that could lead to fulfillment of a desire. In life it is too often only after the event that we know we missed an opportunity -- a word not spoken that could have changed a relationship, a bad choice at a critical moment, a wrong direction taken at a juncture in life. Life confronts us with choices and opportunities. None is more important than the choices that affect our eternal destiny. People need to think seriously about how they are prepared for the ultimate choice about the meaning of their lives.
4. Wisdom and Intelligence. Wisdom is not directly correlated with intelligence. Very smart people may not make any better choices in life than those who have lesser intelligence. A person with only marginal intelligence can show love to others and engage in a life of service. The response to the grace of forgiveness and empowerment to live in love, peace, joy, compassion, generosity and other such values can be received by anyone. The wisdom to be prepared to act according to the spirit of Christ is more to be valued than great feats of intelligence without these characteristics.
Points to Ponder
1. Absent Lord. This parable along with others in the series has an absent lord. The bridegroom has not yet appeared. People become atheists because they have no experience which they identify as an experience of the presence of God or as an encounter with Christ in their lives. The problem is to find ways to help them recognize the reality of God. Sometimes it may be an intellectual problem, such as a world view that does not allow for the existence of spiritual realities. It may also be a false conception of who God or Christ must be. It may also result from a poor, distorted or inadequate modeling by those who claim to know God in Christ Jesus. It may also be some ethical or moral barrier in their own lives which will not let God into their lives.
2. Awake or Asleep. The parable seems to have an internal inconsistency. All ten maidens are asleep when the shout arises that the bridegroom is coming. It makes no difference whether it is the wise or the foolish maidens. Then in the final verse of the pericope we find the admonition to be awake, as though the point of the parable is not lack of preparedness but being asleep when the Lord comes. Some commentators have suggested that this concluding verse is not part of the original parable, but was appended by Matthew or the early church. How do you harmonize the two? Or do you need to press every detail of a parable for consistency?
3. Maidens and Virgins. In the New Testament it is sometimes a question of how you translate the term which is either maiden or virgin. At the time, the two were considered identical. An unmarried young woman was automatically assumed to be a virgin. In the American culture today, many young people are active sexually at a very young age. It cannot be assumed just on age that a young man or woman is a virgin. Indeed, a growing problem is children having children when they are not mature enough to care for them. They have no stable support unless their parents or other adults provide the support. How should the church address both the problem of early, extra-marital sexual activity and the consequences in infants without the family support needed for them?
Illustrative Materials
1. The End Times. How do you act in anticipation of the end of the world and history as we know it? In the light of the long delay in that end coming, one should prepare as though history will continue for another 2000 years before the eschaton, but should live as though it could happen today.
2. Scout Motto. The scout motto is a good one for Christians also: "Be Prepared."
3. A State of Readiness. During the Cold War the U.S. and the USSR lived in a constant state of readiness for the possibility of a nuclear war. The U.S. Strategic Air Command had planes circling in the air 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to be prepared to respond to a nuclear attack.
4. The Attraction of a Bride. A couple had a two-year-old girl. They were taking her to a botanical garden. On the way they passed a cathedral where a wedding party was evident since the groom and his attendants were standing around in the parking lot. The child was taken inside and saw the bride before the ceremony began. She had no further interest in the botanical garden. She kept wanting to go see the bride again. On the return the doors to the cathedral were open. She was taken where she could see the wedding in progress. Just then the priest began praying and it came over the speakers very loudly. She was somewhat frightened and so they left. She still wanted to see the bride. As they went farther, they walked by the Hilton Hotel. A limousine pulled up with a wedding couple in it. They sat at the entrance without getting out for a while. The young girl was taken over to the limo. The couple opened the window and talked to her briefly. That was a highlight for the two-year-old. She talked about it for a long time afterward.
5. Surprises in History. Malthus developed a theory that the population growth would outstrip the growth of food, resulting in mass death and chaos. Even India and China which were earlier subject to periodic famines have stabilized food production for a much larger population than Malthus would have thought possible.
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In the '60s the Club of Rome made some very pessimistic projections about the depletion of oil reserves by the year 2000. Approaching the year 2000 the known oil reserves now are greater than when they made the predictions.
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For years many people were expecting that South Africa would only change the apartheid system as the result of a long and bloody civil war. They did not expect it to happen until at least the twenty-first century. The surprise is that the transition took place through a process of political negotiation and a relatively peaceful election.
