A Poem a Sunday

Pentecost 23 – A

November 12, 2017

Matthew 25:1-13 - NRSV

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids[a]took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.[b] 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those bridesmaids[c] got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 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.’ 10 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. 11 Later the other bridesmaids[d] came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.[e]

Footnotes:

[a] Matthew 25:1 Gk virgins

[b]Matthew 25:1 Other ancient authorities add and the bride

[c]Matthew 25:7 Gk virgins

[d]Matthew 25:11 Gk virgins

[e] Matthew 25:13 Other ancient authorities add in which the Son of Man is coming

A Poem a Sunday

Pentecost 23 – A

Empty Lamps

“My warmest condolences and sympathies

to the victims and families of the terrible

Las Vegas shooting. God bless you!”

While it is too soon to talk about

a common sense response to gun violence.

“God wanted another angel.”

While my aunt died of leukemia

at age 42.

“God never gives you more

than you can bear.”

While multiple hurricanes

wiped out my home, job,

and community in Puerto Rico.

Empty lamps,

empty vessels

signs of foolish,

pious ones

unprepared

for the groom

coming soon,

God’s only Son.

Shout:  “Lord, Lord!”

O foolish maidens,

your clichés of empty mirth

give no comfort to the weary

but only a sad stillbirth.

O foolish Church,

you, like the maidens

walk the dark night

run out of oil

spent on heating

ornate edifices

while justice for the poor

is ever foiled.

“Lord, Lord, Open to us!”

Answer:

“You’re vacant vessels with no trust!”

So dear Church – a lesson to learn:

Deepen your faith

and God in turn

turns the knob

to let you in

because your oil

never grew thin.

Amen.

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