Embedded Files
. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Proper 27 Yr A
The Parable of the Ten Virgins by Ain Vares; downloaded 10/30/2020 from https://ainvaresart.com/
Published date 11/11/2023
Editor's note: During the season of Pentecost, churches that use the Revised Common Lectionary have two options. One, often called "semicontinuous" or "Track 1", provides more detail about the Old Testament stories. The other, called "complementary" or "Track 2", more closely marries the Old Testament lesson to the gospel reading.
Introduction
Introduction
Wise and foolish virgins or bridesmaids. The analogy of the bridesmaids is comforting as it reminds us that, when we become Christians, we are married to Christ and so order our lives as his "bride". The concept of wise versus foolish is a bit disconcerting. I guess I always take the side of the "foolish" because I figure it just might be me who was so excited she didn't think about extra oil, who got the bridal dress but forgot the oil, who perhaps helped her sister-bridesmaids but simply forgot about the oil. So, for me, it's a really hard pill to swallow. I rather like the assessment in “Wide awake and ready” from the Stewardship of Life website—couldn't the wise bridemaids have said to their sisters, "Hey, did you get extra oil?" I wonder. What do you take from this parable?
Send your thought here and they will be included on the website.
Matthew 25:1-13
Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But 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.’ And 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. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
From sermon4kids.com: “Do you know what we must do to be prepared? We must invite Jesus to come into our hearts. When we do that, we are ready!”
Scripture: November 12, 2023—Proper 27 Year A (Pentecost 23)—Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 (image), Psalm 78:1-7 (image), Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16 (image), Amos 5:18-24 (image), Wisdom of Solomon 6:17-20 (image), 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (image), and Matthew 25:1-13 (image). Illuminating the scripture, an image and audio journey.
Collect: O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: How would it change your life if you were to wait expectantly for the return of Christ?
Practice: Think about ways to be more intentional in waiting for Christ's return. If you are so moved, share.
Eye Candy: a whole page of bridesmaids images, many artists, many countries—very cool
Ear Worm: “Give me oil in my lamp“, sing-along with kids; “Keep your lamp trimmed and burning” sung by blind Willie Johnson (reminds me of New Orleans jazz); “Audivi Vocem de caelo [Come all wisest virgins]” by John Tavener; "Gotta Serve Somebody" by Bob Dylan (based on Joshea reading)
Brain Food: “Wise and foolish virgins“, self-guided retreat from At the Edge of the Enclosure weblog; “Once upon a time is our time“, sermon by Rev. Frederick Beuchner [not fond of this one]; “How to stay awake”, from Art & Faith Matters weblog; lyrics from Bob Dylan's "Gotta serve somebody"
Parables: “American Beauty“, satire on the American dream; “Indiana Jones and the last crusade“, “humility in the presence of the holy is preferable to chasing after glory”; “Poseidon Adventure“, the choice to go or not go “to life”; "Contact" (1997), "reason must yield to mystery"; "Don't look up" (2021, R), thought-provoking, funny and sad, reactions to climate change, Review.
For families: Study guide, snacks, group activity, kid's video
For children: activity, craft, bulletin games;
For middlers: activity, craft, bulletin games
For youth: What if, right at the start, the wise bridesmaids had said to their foolish sisters something along the lines of “Hey, did you think to bring extra oil? Maybe you should go get some now so that you can be ready.” When they could have been about the business of cultivating relationships and making ready, instead everybody falls asleep waiting. How do you help your brothers and sisters to “be ready”, not just for Jesus’ second coming but for their lives in Christ? As you more like the wise or the foolish bridesmaids? (excerpted from “Wide awake and ready” from the Stewardship of Life website.
Now, as we enter the last weeks of the Church year, the liturgy is focused on the “last things,” and especially the return of Christ as Judge. The Gospel reading is the familiar parable of the wise and foolish maidens. The emphasis here is always to live in readiness for the Lord’s return.
Track 1. We are drawing near the end of our reading through the ancient story of God’s people. The Israelites have now settled in the Promised Land. Joshua has called them together to renew the Covenant they made with God at Mount Sinai. This renewal recalls to them all the mighty acts God has done on their behalf from the time of Abraham to their own time.
Track 2. The first reading today is from Amos. The prophet lives in a time in which the people of God are very “religious” in carrying out the rites and sacrifices of worship, but are blind to the injustice and inequities in the social and economic life of their nation. The Word of God is that in the Day of Judgment, performance of religious rites will not be enough if there is not also justice and social righteousness in the center of our living as a people.
The second reading continues the first letter to the Thessalonians. Some in that church, expecting the Lord to return in their lifetimes, have begun to doubt because some of the members have died. Paul assures these early Christians that those who die before the Lord’s return will nonetheless be saved.
In our Eucharistic gathering, we are in a kind of rehearsal for life in the Day of Judgment. We find in our prayer the model for the commitment to ministry and social justice, which gives heart and soul to our worship; and in communion, we meet the Lord as judge and as Savior.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse