1 Thes 4:1-8, Ps 97: 1,2,5-6,10-12, Mt 25:1-13

Today’s Gospel could give the wrong impression. Because some of the virgins have to leave to get oil, they miss entrance to kingdom and are denied access when they come back. A person could get the impression that one wrong move, one poorly timed action could cost you entrance to the kingdom of heaven. That is not the point of the story of the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. This is about being admitted to the Kingdom of Heaven and it is about taking responsibility for what we do and therefore who we are.

At times, I have gotten distracted by the interchange between the virgins with the oil and the ones who didn’t have extra oil with them. It seems that the ones with oil ought to share. Isn’t that the Christian thing to do? But the story is told that way to emphasize the point that our decisions have consequences, ultimate consequences. We need to pay attention to what has been asked of us and do the best we can to respond. In this Gospel story that means being prepared for a bridegroom that ends up being late. To not bring extra oil is to ignore what is being asked of them, to ignore the task at hand. Both the wise and the foolish virgins fall asleep for a while during the wait so this isn’t about being perfect. It’s about doing what is needed in light of the situation. The wise virgins have made provisions in case they have to wait. They have acted in line with what was asked of them, to greet the bridegroom when, that is, whenever he arrives.

This is a story of paying attention to what is needed for the work we are asked to do. Call it being ready, being prepared. It says there are consequences if you ignore what life is asking of you. It means to me that life matters, decisions matter. In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians he is reminding them that being a lustful rogue doesn’t just offend other people it disregards what God wants. How we live affects our relationship with God as well as those around us. The consequences of poor behavior have far reaching effects.

This is not a big insight for us. We have lived our lives more than a little aware that bad behavior could keep us from heaven. In some ways the Church often overemphasized the don’t do this, don’t do that aspect of Catholic doctrine. It’s one reason why I get a little uneasy with the Gospel since the virgins who have to go off to buy oil are later refused entrance to the kingdom. But I think the point it is trying to make, is a good one. The life we live matters. Paying attention to what is needed isn’t a meaningless exercise. What we do counts for something and will be rewarded with a feast that brings God and us together for all eternity. Every time we picked up a crying baby, lovingly corrected an obstinate teenager, made dinner for our spouse, cared enough to visit a friend … every time we did what was needed at the moment. We were ready for the bridegroom. We weren’t off catching up from some other missed opportunity or preoccupied with what might happen in the future, we were present to what was needed in the here and now. By being right there in the midst of our current situation, the possibility of the kingdom was also present. Each time we are ready for what is being asked, we are ready for the bridegroom and the feast whenever that happens.