Today we learnt about the parable of the ten bridesmaids who went out to wait for the bridegroom. I believe this parable portrays God as the bridegroom and us, humanity, as the bridesmaids. The ‘wise’ among us are the ones who prepare our lives here on earth for the second coming and our eternal lives in heaven, while the ‘foolish’ ones are those who hide their light and wisdom, or who fail to prepare for the return of Christ.
The final line in the reading is particularly important: ‘..because you do not know the day or hour’. This is very true and is a reminder of why we should live our lives every day as if it will be the day of Christ’s return. Thank God for the good things he gives you, show to others you live with the love of Christ in your eyes and actions, and don’t be ashamed of talking of Christ’s kingdom and demonstrate your love for him. As Father Thomas said today, he does this in one way by making the sign of the cross over the food he eats at the ‘Edge’ cafe at UEL. Why should we be ashamed to show our love of God in our own way?
I also find it quite significant that God/the bridegroom says to the foolish bridesmaids ‘I do not know you’. This line shows how important it is, in terms of our eternal lives, to prepare in the right way for his second coming. We want to enjoy a relationship with God for the rest of eternity; not for him to reject us and say he does not know us as a result of our actions here on earth.
So, the message for today is don’t compromise on your faith. He who has real faith should never be ashamed of it.
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Matthew 25: 1-13; The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
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