November 12, 2023
Revised Common Lectionary
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 or Micah 3:5-12
Psalm 78:1-7 or Psalm 70
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13
Lectionary for Mass (RC)
Wisdom 6:12-16
Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (2b)
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (15-18)
Matthew 25:1-13
When communicating departure plans, a former colleague of mine liked to quote her grandmother: “You can be ready when I’m ready—or you can be ready after I’m gone.”
Christians have long speculated about the timing of Christ’s second coming—is it imminent or are we in for a long wait? There have been down through the ages some famous predictions about exactly when and how Christ’s return might take place—none of which have panned out. Significantly, Jesus himself warned against this kind of speculation. He told his disciples, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father . . . for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Mt 24:36, 44).
Is God toying with us? Is the Holy One leaving us guessing, trying to catch us off guard while playing some grand cosmic game of “gotcha”? Today’s Gospel reading suggests that rather than asking when Christ will come again, we should instead be asking how to prepare for that coming—whenever it might happen.
Jesus tells a story that likens the coming of God’s reign to a joyful occasion—the arrival of a bridegroom for his wedding feast. The bridesmaids are waiting not in fear but in anticipation of a great celebration. All ten of the bridesmaids, both wise and foolish, become drowsy—but sleep is no obstacle for the wise attendants, who have enough oil on hand to greet the bridegroom whenever he might arrive, whether it be very soon or much later. Meanwhile, the foolish bridesmaids must go out in the middle of the night in search of a 24-hour oil supply center—not easy to find even today.
When the midnight oil shoppers return, they find that the party has already started and the door has been locked. Only then do they realize that they are too late. We too know that sometimes a deadline passes and we have missed an opportunity—like running to an airport gate only to be told that the aircraft door has been shut and cannot be reopened.
Don’t put things off, Jesus counsels us. As we wait for Christ’s coming—whenever and in whatever way that might be—we should have plenty of oil on hand so that we will be ready to join the celebration. Some interpreters suggest that the oil represents deeds of compassion, justice, and righteousness. For disciples of Christ, then, wisdom consists in living and working each day in solidarity with those whom God favors—the poor, the lowly, the sorrowing, the peacemakers, the pure in heart, seekers after justice.
As my colleague’s grandmother noted, being ready is the best way to assure we don’t miss out—whether it’s a ride to school or a great wedding feast. Today’s Gospel reading invites us to be wise disciples, not stressing out about the future, but simply prepared to welcome the coming of God’s reign at every moment by good deeds and righteousness of life.
A Hymn for Today: “Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning”
This African American Prayer and Praise Hymn, dating from around the year 1900, uses the image from today’s Gospel of trimming lamps as it encourages believers to be prepared for Christ’s coming, for “the day is drawing nigh.” Listen here to hear composer André Thomas directing his own arrangement of this hymn.
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
The time is drawing nigh.
Christian journey soon be over,
Christian journey soon be over,
Christian journey soon be over,
The time is drawing nigh.
Children, don’t get weary,
Children, don’t get weary,
Children, don’t get weary,
‘Til your work is done.
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
The time is drawing nigh.
Text and Music: African American Prayer and Praise Hymn, c. 1900, adapt. C. Eugene Cooper. © 1987, 1988, 1991, GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission under OneLicense #A-729857.
Image Credit: Bridesmaids Sleeping, stained glass, ca. 20th cent., St. Giles’ Church, Oxford, UK
“Word and Song: A Lectionary Reflection” is written by the Executive Director of The Hymn Society, Rev. Dr. Mike McMahon. For his full bio, click here and scroll down to the “staff” section.
To receive these weekly reflections by email, please send a message to office@thehymnsociety.org and type “Lectionary” in the subject line.