One of the joys of being a priest is the opportunity to officiate at weddings. I enjoy getting to know young couples as they consider their future together. My concern is the spiritual wellbeing of the couple and their readiness to enter into the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. While I cover the spiritual aspects of marriage, the bride, her mother and sometimes the groom also are deeply involved in the logistical aspects of the wedding. Most weddings today are meticulously planned events. Many families hire professional wedding planners to assure the event runs smoothly. Every facet of the day is coordinated with military precision. The amount of planning that can go into a wedding is astounding.
Our gospel for today, Matthew 25:1-13, is The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Bridesmaids) waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom (Christ). This parable is about responsible planning and preparedness. Five of the bridesmaids wisely came prepared with sufficient oil for their lamps to meet the bridegroom and five foolishly came unprepared without extra lamp oil to meet the bridegroom. When the bridegroom arrived (late) the five wise, prepared bridesmaids “went into the wedding feast” (the kingdom of heaven). The five foolish bridesmaids were locked out of the feast.
Just as weddings today require a lot of planning and preparation, our entry into the kingdom of heaven requires planning and preparation as well. We must be prepared to meet Jesus whenever he arrives. If we procrastinate we run the risk of confronting a locked door or being left in the dark. Each of us receives an invitation with an RSVP requesting a timely response. How we respond is up to each one of us.
Lord God, our Father,
you want us to encounter your Son
here on earth as our companion in life.
Help us pay attention to the word that warns us
to increase the 'oil for our lamps,'
that they may not flicker and go out
while we await the Bridegroom's return.
May we be always ready to greet Christ when he comes
and enter with him into the wedding feast
for he is our Lord for ever and ever.
AMEN.
