Proper 27 2014

Proper 27 2014

Our Gospel Reading for today is comprised pretty much of this parable about ten bridesmaids who are waiting through the night for the bridegroom to arrive. It’s probably an image with which we’re all familiar—young women hanging around, keeping their lamps lighted so that they can greet the bridegroom when he finally arrives…or maybe not.

This really is a parable which has some cultural overtones to which we can’t really relate. After all, the image in this parable is quite different from what we understand of bridesmaids today—and the idea that a wedding feast would begin after midnight would probably throw the most stalwart of wedding planners into fits. (Something that might be really funny to see).

But all of this aside, I think the point of the story is pretty easily understood—especially because in context it follows a series of other parables and teachings about the End Times, and being prepared. This is, of course, money in the bank for television preachers; and the clincher for hardline, Evangelical crusades… However, judgment is only one dimension of this parable.

Now, just to be clear, it’s not that I don’t like to preach about judgment—in fact, I really like the idea, especially right after campaigns and a vote… The issue, for me, is that when it comes to judgment (especially Divine Judgment),I know exactly who I’d like to see on the receiving end—and I can imagine if all of you were as debased as myself, you would also have some opinions about this.

Of course, in this case, we’d be talking about retribution and revenge, not Justice…which for all of the scary images in Scripture, is really what Divine Judgment is supposed to be about.

Anyway, besides the parable being something about the End Times, it is also appropriately understood as a lesson about waiting—and waiting well.

As I mentioned, this is one parable in a string of teachings about the end of time, and being prepared for that end. So, to help us understand this lesson, we have one set of bridesmaids who have come to wait for the bridegroom with lamps, and extra oil, as well. On the other hand, some of the bridesmaids came to wait, but did not come with extra oil.

When night wore on, then, these ladies fell asleep—having taken off the uncomfortable, yet stylish shoes that went with their dresses. Finally, sometime after midnight, the bridegroom’s taxi arrived from the airport. Upon hearing the car horn honking, and the slamming of car doors, the bridesmaids scramble to greet the bridegroom—but alas, only some of them have extra oil…

Luckily for these other bridesmaids, the nearest oil dealer was a 7-11, so they could go get more oil, and a Slushee, besides. But when they returned with their oil, lighted lamps, and beef jerky for everyone—the doors to the banquet hall were already shut, and no one willing to let them in. In fact, whoever answered the door, even denied knowing them…talk about cold blooded . Obviously this person didn’t know how much their dresses cost, or how much time they had spent at the hairdresser that morning.

Now, again, we have to keep in mind that this is a parable—it’s exaggerated to make a point, and even though it’s not funny, necessarily, parables by nature are more like jokes than a concise exposition of culture and religious life. Jesus is pushing the limits of this story. But, how else could he express the importance of waiting and being prepared, than to tap into all of the cultural fears about failing at hospitality—especially at a wedding. After all, we might remember what happened to Jesus when he and his buddies went to a wedding in Cana. The host of the party ran out of wine, and Jesus’ Mom outted him as Messiah before he’d made it official.

So, if hospitality at a wedding is important enough to force the Savior’s agenda—especially when it’s about having enough wine—we can guess that this parable taps into some real fears for his audience.

I don’t know if there are any things today, in our culture, which would be quite the equivalent to this sensibility. However, I could imagine thoughts of a children’s birthday party, where there aren’t enough party favor bags, might be enough to send some of you into cold sweats.

Maybe for others, anxiety is the prospect of doing a team presentation, and you happen to show up without your thumb drive that has all of the necessary slides.

Or, for the rest of us, it might just be the fear that, the dream where you show up for some important event only in your underwear, isn’t a dream…

Whatever the case, Jesus is trying to underline the importance of being prepared—and he uses urgency and fear as a tactic to get us to understand how necessary it is to be ready, and wait well.

Now, when I say that we need to be prepared—especially in the context of the end times—I’m not talking about buying stock in non-perishables, and building a compound. However, there are any number of websites which have helpful checklists to prepare you…one even lists what size generator you’ll need to power a television, DVD player and computer (you know, only the essentials for the end of the world).

No; what I’m talking about is the need to live in such a way that this world—this life—isn’t our only sense of reality. In other words, our hearts can’t be consumed by getting ahead. Our minds can’t be occupied with selfishness and negativity. Because, as we know, this life is fleeting—and all of the status symbols, and “stuff” that our culture holds onto will inevitably pass away. Our lives are worth too much—the lives of others are worth too much to squander ourselves caught up in the world’s illusions.

Then again, it’s not like we need a spiritual awareness to understand this—the disparity in the world between rich and poor; cultures; religions; and even gender—are just a ‘click’ away. And if we allow our hearts to be moved by this—to be moved by the things that move the heart of God; I think we realize that this can’t be all that there is…there has to be more to what God dreams for this world than what we’re seeing and experiencing.

So, when I talk about being prepared, I think it begins with a state of mind; a condition of heart;  and a perspective about this life that understands that not only is this world not our home, but when begin to live compassionate lives, we find we most certainly don’t belong here. When our hearts are set upon being conformed to the loving heart of God, and our minds are transformed by the Holy Spirit; we find that we want to live more like Jesus. And, while it’s a difficult task, we know that it’s much needed in this world…

The point is, we’re called to live our lives anticipating Jesus’ return, and his Kingdom come—and in spite of what television preachers would like you to believe, this is a very good thing, and hopeful. But we have to take the long view in this, always preparing our hearts and doing those things which make the world ready for the truer life ahead. Within our waiting is the work of holding fast to the hope that, with Christ’s return, true justice will be done, and a Kingdom ruled by love is at hand. And far from buying generators, and stocking-up on canned goods—our preparation will be compassionate works, which give others a vision of that Kingdom, and invites them to join us in our waiting; and our longing for Christ, our friend and Beloved to return.