We have been reading from First Thessalonians over these weeks. It is our earliest written New Testament document and precedes the gospels by about 20 years. As we can see from today’s reading it gives evidence to the early Christian community’s belief in the resurrection. It also shows that this belief wasn’t something later Christians came to after long deliberation, as they did with other doctrines of the Christian faith.
There, at our beginnings, is the basic belief of our faith: we share in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Death, contrary to it’s shattering effects on our lives, has no final power over us. So, we do not yield to grief and despair. Rather, Paul assures us, Christ will return. “Thus, we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.” Initially Paul thought the Parousia would happen soon. When it didn’t he had to redirect his teachings, from anticipating Jesus’ immediate return, to guiding his followers how to live for the “long haul.”
We are all going to die. For some that’s a reality that stirs fear and a sense of despair. What’s the use of investing our energies in any project, all will end in dust anyway? In the face of death’s reality some decide that this life is all there is and so they will make the best of it and lead honorable lives doing good for others. Others give way to a form of despair and live without a sense of moorings, direction and responsibility outside their own private spheres. Faith in the resurrection, as Paul preaches it, gives meaning to our lives, as well as a bright future in which to hope. We work to do good in this life, with our eyes set on a time of final fulfillment. We are also aware that doing the best we can here will still not bring about the fullness that will come when Jesus returns. Still, we apply ourselves to living his life as best we can.
We will need guidance in our efforts to make the good choices we must make in our complex world. So, we look to God to be our constant companion. The Book of Wisdom gives us encouragement and assurance that we do have God’s companionship. Wisdom was written in the first century B.C.E. for Greek-speaking Jews living in Alexandria, Egypt. It was a cosmopolitan city rich in Hellenistic culture and learning. It must have been hard for Jews, in the minority, to resist the seductive pull of the learned, pagan world around them. How would observant Jews hold fast to their ancient faith in such a secular world?
Sounds like the world we live in today doesn’t it? Especially in our youth-oriented culture that tends to neglect the wisdom of our elders and the guidance of our faith. The author of the Book of Wisdom, speaking to his Jewish brothers and sisters in Diaspora, reminds them that they are not on their own: Wisdom is available to them to help them navigate their complex and distracting world.
Wisdom is personified as a woman (“Sophia” in Greek is feminine) and “…she is readily perceived by those who love her and found by those who seek her.” What is even more encouraging is that she “…makes her rounds, seeking those worthy of her.” Wisdom is not a stagnant virtue, but a traveler like us, who seeks us out to help us on our path. How many God-fearers have, in the midst of confusion and turmoil, cried out to God to send Wisdom for clarity and direction? From our confused, tumultuous, misguided world we seek out Wisdom and pray to Jesus at this Eucharist, “Send us your Spirit of Wisdom.”
We shouldn’t be distracted by the “unreal” details of the parable in today’s gospel. Why didn’t the maidens, who had oil, share with those who didn’t? Where could those in need ever find a market to buy oil at midnight? Why did they cry out with the special title “Lord, Lord” to the bridegroom? Why didn’t he recognize them, after all, they were in the wedding party? We have to allow Jesus, the storyteller, the creative license to include details that will help him paint a picture to give us insight into, what he describes as, “the kingdom of heaven.”
We know that in Jesus’ time marriages were arranged by the families of the couple. Fathers arranged the marriage, while mothers set the terms. First, there was the betrothal period of a year or so after the terms of the marriage were set. Then the bride was transferred to the husband’s home. These marriage practices may help explain the delay in the groom’s coming.
Today’s parable is the second in the sequence of three that emphasize preparedness while we await the Lord’s Second Coming. Like the others, the parable of the ten maidens, emphasizes the need to be vigilant and ready NOW for the Lord’s return.
There are choices we must make NOW in the light of our hope and as we wait. We do what we can to nourish our spirits, form our minds and fortify our wills — NOW. We can’t put off for tomorrow decisions that show our fidelity to God and commitment to Jesus and his ways. If we delay doing that, isn’t that a sign of our lack: of faith in Christ’s presence NOW, as well as our hope in his final coming?
We can’t prepare for the in-breaking of Christ into our lives at the moment he comes. The parable urges a more constant vigilance and state of preparation. Nor can we rely on the vigilance and preparedness of others. No one can take responsibility for us, we must do that for ourselves — ready to greet Jesus each day of our lives and then when he comes at the end.
What is clear in this parable is that when the critical moment of Jesus’s entry into our lives arrives, it will be decisive. Preparation time is over. If we have lived vigilant lives we will enter the wedding feast with Christ our bridegroom. The foolish maidens arrived after the door was locked and when they knocked the door was not opened. It was too late. Poor choices were made, the time for preparation was over.
The parable has allegorical features. For example, the wise maidens trimmed their lamps when the bridegroom’s arrival was announced. Psalm 119 refers to God’s Word as “a lamp unto my feet.” Hearing the Word of God will illumine us and help us recognize the Lord when he arrives. The light of the Word will also sustain us until he does.
For some this is a welcome parable; for others it is an ominous one. For those whose lives have been lived actively seeking and doing God’s will, their light will shine bright and the door will be opened for them. Those who have lived by false lights and indifference to their future fate will find the door barred.
“What’s taking so long?”. We live in an impatient world. Someone got angry the other day at the supermarket. We were on the “Express lane–10 items or less,” the sign said. But the man in front of me had 12 purchases. The woman behind me challenged his “lack of consideration.” “Can’t you read the sign,” she told him sternly, “10 items not 12!”
In light of today’s parable we too might express some impatience and ask, “What’s taking the Lord so long?” But we know we don’t have to wait till our deaths or the Second Coming for the Lord’s arrival. The kingdom Jesus brought about in word and deed comes into our lives every day in a variety of ways. The parable reminds us to be alert and prepared for it.
Meanwhile, during our waiting time, the Lord has taught us that we can welcome the kingdom’s arrival by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving drink to the thirsty, sheltering the homeless and setting free the oppressed. So, while we wait for the final arrival of Christ we have plenty to do, because he comes daily in disguised and surprising ways. Wisdom is a key virtue for our gospel today. It helps us stay vigilant and guides us in the practical choices of daily life. And so we pray, “Come Spirit of Wisdom.” “Come Spirit of Vigilance.” “Come Spirit of Preparedness.”