Prepared for the Worst

Are we in it for the long haul?

'Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps." - Matthew 25:1-4

Today's Gospel reading makes a distinction between being wise and being foolish.  The wise are prepared for a long wait, while the foolish take just enough for the short haul.

What do we do that is like that? 

I have to admit that when I set out to do something or go somewhere, I don't anticipate being delayed.

I do tend to check the weather and the traffic to see when I need to leave, but unexpected delays can cause problems, especially if I know I didn't fill up the gas tank before setting out on the road.

If I am aware of the delay, I will make sure I have enough gas in the tank, and I will be prepared to sit in traffic.  I won't like it, and I might go out of my way to avoid that route, but I will deal with it.

The bridesmaids represent two ways of approaching life's uncertainties.  One way is to deal with it as it happens, while the other is to try to prepare for the worst.

Those who are prepared get to enjoy the rewards, while the others may miss out.

Now it has always bothered me that the ones who had taken extra oil wouldn't share with those who ran out.  It seems like they are being mean, refusing to share, but if I was stuck in traffic and the guy next to me was running out of gas, would I offer him some of mine?

The lesson may be simply about being prepared to make the journey.  Once the bridegroom came, the journey began.  It was still a long walk in the dark to the feast, so why wouldn't you make sure you had extra oil for your lamp?

That is why the five were foolish.  They were not prepared to go the distance.

The kingdom, then, is for those who can make the journey, take the time to do the work of getting there.

We need to be prepared, yes, but we also need to be committed to go when called.

And that, I think, is what separates the wise from the foolish.

So, are you ready for the journey?

More to come...