Today's readings deal with the idea of being caught unaware. Our pastor told us that this does not just mean being caught unaware at the time of our deaths, but being caught unaware through the many points in our lives when Jesus is asking for our action or attention. It reminds me of the common aphorisms about opportunity. In both cases, we need to do better than simply sleep-walking through our lives. We miss out on so much of what God is trying to share with us when we do.
Our pastor also mentioned that the end of the Gospel seemed pretty harsh. After all, it seems like the virgins with abundant oil would be able to share with those who forgot to bring theirs. However, he pointed out that the oil seems to represent those things that we cannot share, such as our reserves of patience or the time we have spent helping others. These are things which each person must work on for themselves and cannot rely on others to give them their extra.
The gospel also says "the bridegroom was long delayed." To many Christians, who are awaiting Jesus' second coming, this line seems particularly apt. People keep expecting Him to return in their lifetimes and try to match up the articles in the news with the verses in the Books of Daniel and Revelations. As we get closer to the 2,000 anniversary of the Crucifixion, I expect that people will only become more and more anxious. I worry that, in that concern for the end of times, people are missing the smaller moments which Jesus is trying to call to our attention.
Our pastor also mentioned that the end of the Gospel seemed pretty harsh. After all, it seems like the virgins with abundant oil would be able to share with those who forgot to bring theirs. However, he pointed out that the oil seems to represent those things that we cannot share, such as our reserves of patience or the time we have spent helping others. These are things which each person must work on for themselves and cannot rely on others to give them their extra.
The gospel also says "the bridegroom was long delayed." To many Christians, who are awaiting Jesus' second coming, this line seems particularly apt. People keep expecting Him to return in their lifetimes and try to match up the articles in the news with the verses in the Books of Daniel and Revelations. As we get closer to the 2,000 anniversary of the Crucifixion, I expect that people will only become more and more anxious. I worry that, in that concern for the end of times, people are missing the smaller moments which Jesus is trying to call to our attention.
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