Sunday, November 12, 2023

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Revised Common Lectionary passages for the Lord’s Day are:
– First Reading: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
– Psalm 78:1-7
-Second Reading: I Thessalonians 4:13-18
– Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:1-13

The liturgical color for the day is: Green

It is this issue of expectation upon which the story hinges.  It goes deeper than the five bridesmaids merely not having enough oil for the night event.  They were missing it.  They were missing that this was a really big moment—this was a moment that would not come again.

Instead of being ready, expectant, and fully equipped, the real travesty is they were cavalier about it all.  It was not until they were trimming the lamp’s wick that they realized they were short on fuel.  They were casual about the whole thing.  They should have been anticipating what was going on and what was going to happen.

This was a big moment and they were checked out when they should have been checked in.  As I read this parable, that is the issue—being checked in to or out of the reality of the moment to which we have arrived. 

Are we checked in to the reality of the moment?  Are we checked in to the reality that God is calling us to put forward our expectation and our preparation to this moment of discipleship?  Are we checked in to the reality that if we are holding back our oil at home rather that pouring it into our lamps and getting out there in the world where the action is we are missing it.  Are we checked in enough to realize that we can be missing the wonder of this big moment in our life in God?

—

Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena
General Presbyter and Stated Clerk