This Week’s Gospel Reflection

Scripture

Matthew 23:1-12

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Reflection

As I was reading through the parable of the ten virgins, a song from my childhood immediately popped into my mind: “People Get Ready, Jesus Is Coming” by Crystal Lewis. I can vividly remember hearing that song playing on my dad’s stereo on Sunday mornings as we got ready for church.

It seems fitting that this is the song I would remember when reading this passage because Jesus’ message in the parable is simple: Be ready.

All ten virgins were waiting for the bridegroom. All ten were expecting him to come. All ten had lamps. Only five were truly ready.

The bridegroom in this parable points us to Christ, who throughout Scripture is described as the bridegroom, with the Church as His bride. The virgins were waiting for the bridegroom to arrive so they could join the wedding feast – a beautiful picture of the hope we have in Christ and His promised return.

But the bridegroom took longer than they expected.

The five wise virgins had prepared because they did not know when the bridegroom would come. When the bridegroom finally arrived, they were ready and entered the feast with him. The others had to leave to purchase oil, and by the time they returned, the door was shut.

We might wonder, why couldn’t the wise virgins simply share their oil? But perhaps that is part of Jesus’ point. There are some things that cannot be borrowed. We cannot borrow someone else’s faith or depend on someone else’s relationship with Christ. Ultimately, each of us must respond to Jesus for ourselves.

And the reality is, we do not know how long we will have to wait.

We do not know what seasons of waiting, disappointment, grief, uncertainty, or joy may come before Christ returns. But we do know who we are waiting for.

So, the question for me is not simply, “Am I ready for Jesus to return?” It is also, “How am I living while I wait?”

Am I living intentionally? Am I allowing my relationship with Christ to deepen even when He seems delayed? Am I living with anticipation rather than distraction?

The bridegroom is coming. And our bridegroom is so worth the wait.

People, get ready. Jesus is coming.

Prayer

Thank you, God, for the gift of salvation. Thank you that through Jesus, the invitation to the feast is extended to all who put their trust in You.

Lord, help us to live with intentionality. Help us not to simply expect Your return, but to be prepared for it. Keep our lamps burning. Give us a faith that is our own – a faith that grows deeper through every season of life.

When You seem delayed, help us to wait faithfully. When life is difficult, help us keep our eyes fixed on You. When we become distracted by the things of this world, remind us of the hope of eternity.

May we live each day with eternity in mind, knowing that we are not simply waiting for an event – we are waiting for You.

Amen.

Past Reflections