This parable as a punch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no doubt or equivocation in the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday, Mathew 25:1-13. The Lord simply closes the door on the foolish bridesmaids and will not let enter the banquet. He simply states: I do not know you. The parable warns us to stay awake, be aware and develop a lifelong relationship with the Lord because we do not know the time or hour he may be call us to eternal life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are at the end of the Church\u2019s year and focused on the end time and Christ Second Coming but the bridegroom will also come to us in our own death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unique to Matthew this is the only parable of watching and waiting where discipleship is portrayed in a feminine context. Matthew describes what the kingdom of heaven will be like: a gathering of young women, bridesmaids who are awaiting the bridegroom. At first there is an element of expectation and potential celebration in this image. The young girls are understandably keen to meet the groom and need enough oil to illuminate their lamps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the scene becomes grim because one never knows when Bridegroom will arrive., Half the young women are foolish, they fall asleep and don\u2019t have enough oil left to light their lamps when the groom finally arrived. The wise young women have plenty of oil in their lamp and with haste follow the groom to the great wedding feast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The emphasis on \u2018oil\u2019 and \u2018lamplight\u2019 are symbolic of good works and Christian witness that gives glory to God. We are called to be aware and ready to light the way of the Lord throughout our life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The final image is solemn and sad: the Lord locks the door to the wedding hall and dismisses them with I do not know you<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This parable has a mighty punch. I am awake and disturbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Virginia Ryan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This parable as a punch. There is no doubt or equivocation in the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday, Mathew 25:1-13. The Lord simply closes the door on the foolish bridesmaids and will not let enter the banquet. He simply states: I do not know you. The parable warns us to stay awake, be aware […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":29184,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29183","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsletter"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t