FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023 - SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023 - SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS

Many churches use a Common Lectionary (a standard set of scripture readings).  For Sundays, one year, the Gospel readings are from Matthew, another year from Mark, and a third year from Luke.  (John’s Gospel is intertwined - mainly during the Easter season).

The following is from Matthew 15:1-13 - which was standard on Sunday, November 12, 2023

Jesus told his disciples this parable:

"The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

When taking their lamps, the foolish ones brought no extra oil, but the wise brought extra flasks of oil with their lamps.

Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

At midnight, there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

Then, all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise,

'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise ones replied, 'No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.'

While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked.

Afterward, the other virgins said, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' But he replied,  'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.'

Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour."

*****

At times, this reading seems contrary to the rest of the messages of Jesus.  “Share what you have with others.  Give water to the thirsty, food to the hungry, visit the sick and those in prisons.” 

Why didn’t the wise virgins (also translated as ‘young women’) give some of their oil to those who ran out? Are the wise virgins being selfish - and withholding their oil from the other virgins?

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To me, this isn’t about sharing - consider this statement: “Since the bridegroom was long delayed.” 

The belief that Jesus would return soon was prevalent in those early years of Christianity. But, this is talking about “LONG DELAYED”.  (Like twenty centuries - or forty centuries - or whenever).

Some people today believe Jesus is coming soon, but others say, “Hey - it’s been two thousand years - Jesus isn’t coming soon.  

Five fervent followers were ready. They had brought extra oil.  Or, (my interpretation) - five passionate followers believed that Jesus could come ANYTIME.  They prayed daily, read their Bible, attended church faithfully, and went to Bible Studies.  They were ready.

But, the other five had believed that Jesus was coming sometime but were not expecting Him “soon” - so they had thought at one point - but had been lax in following their faith. Maybe they were involved in “Churchianity” and not engaged in “Christianity.” 

I can get off on a tangent - are there others than just Christians in Heaven?  I don’t know - God knows - God makes those decisions - not me!!!  

John 10:16 says, “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”  Might there be Mormons, Hindus, Muslims, and others?  I don’t know - God can do whatever He/She/It/The Force wants to do!!

Another possible relevant verse is Revelation 3:17, “ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm, hot, nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

Maybe the second group of five virgins - was just lukewarm - and God wants His adherents to be strong in their faith. That is the point - be fervent - and have extra oil; be prepared!!

As I read, pray, and study, I sense that our finite lives here on Earth - are preparation times for the infinite life - after death.  As a limited human being, it is hard for me to understand God's infinite nature.  

I remember the old military statement, “Ours is not to question why; ours is to do or die.”  The old hymn “Trust and Obey, there is no other way” might be what God expects - to be ready - no matter what. 

(And, death can come at any time for any one of us.  A sudden heart attack, an airplane crashing into my apartment building while I sleep, a drunk driver going the wrong way on a divided highway and crashing into me—lots of instant death possibilities.  

Do we have enough oil for our lamps (that is, are we ready?)

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, NOVEMBER 17, 2023

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A chorus has been going through my head on this.  “I Wish We’d All Be Ready:

Life was filled with guns and war

And everyone got trampled on the floor

I wish we'd all been ready

Children died, the days grew cold

A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold

I wish we'd all been ready

There's no time to change your mind

The Son has come, and you've been left behind

***

The implication is that our hearts weren’t ready for Jesus’ second coming.