Matthew 25:1-12 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 25:1-12 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 25"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Verse 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Verse 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; Verse 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. Verse 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. Verse 6But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Verse 7Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. Verse 8The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' Verse 9But the wise replied, 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' Verse 10And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Verse 11Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' Verse 12But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.'
Devotion
Every Sunday we confess, “He will come again…” But when? How long will all this go on? How much longer till God’s promise is fulfilled? Jesus has already returned: in Sacrament, in answered prayer, in acts of love. Yet he is always in the future, too, still to come, still promising to return to save us from ongoing sins of hopelessness and despair.
Prayer
God, keep us calm and ready for the surprising arrivals of your light. Amen.