|
First
Reading
|
Psalm |
Epistle |
Gospel |
| Joshua 24:1–3a, 14–25 |
Psalm 78: 1–7 |
1 Thessalonians. 4:13–18 |
Matthew
25:1–13
|
For many decades the slogan of The General Electric Company used to be “Progress is our most important product.” Its memory was triggered by two special encounters of the past two weeks.
The first encounter was in Cortland for an evening meeting of the area Episcopal parishes with the bishop. I went with a heavy heart, for after looking forward to exchanging some pleasantries and greeting some parishioners from other parishes that I have known over the years, I anticipated that I would endure the evening, nursing low expectations. The agenda of the evening began following the dish-to-pass supper and after a while, the bishop asked us what in our particular parishes we were especially pleased or glad of. When it came our turn, one of our number immediately stood up and proudly replied, we have at least seven young people willing to explore the possibility of renewing and confirming their baptismal vows. Given my mood, it took me by total surprise. I can’t say for sure what I would have said if pressed, but it pleased me deeply what was said. The class-to-be was lifted up in the approving faces and hearts of everyone there. (Incidentally this afternoon will be the first meeting of that exploratory class and in the intercessions we are requesting your prayers for them.)
The second encounter was just last Sunday evening, when I was the guest preacher for the All Saints Day celebration of the Episcopal Church at Cornell. I was warmly received and the Holy Spirit was surely present and among us, working through the incense of an enthusiastic young thurifer. I could tell in the bright and attentive eyes of the students that the message of All Saints was welcomed and appreciated.
No, it wasn’t GE’s actual slogan of “Progress is our most important product” that came to mind; it was rather the reminder that the Gospel teaches us that “People are our most important product.” That could be the advertising masthead for a community of faith. In the middle of a ho- hum diocesan meeting and at an All Saints’ Service on a balmy November Sunday evening I became aware that there are sparks of great potential and a promise of profound grace working all around us, and part of our responsibility is be alert and to fan them into flame.
As Jesus’ parable of the ten bridesmaids seems to indicate, the ramifications over running out of oil have been with us a long time. However, the lesson of this parable is not about having enough petroleum reserves or even about sharing or conserving them. It is about being willing to face the responsibilities that come with living as a person of faith. At least in this sense, serious consideration of the Gospel and developing a long-term energy policy besides “drill baby drill,” do have something in common. Both require a consistent and long term commitment.
There is a great difference between the fluctuating waves of optimism and pessimism of the world and the hope of the Gospel. When Jesus told the parable of the ten bridesmaids, he was hardly in an optimistic mood. It was during his last week in Jerusalem. He knew that his opponents were planning to silence him and scatter his followers into oblivion. His arrest and death were imminent. The parable of the ten bridesmaids is about being ready and in the context of having hope for a celebration marking a new life and a new beginning. Jesus was preparing the disciples, not only for his arrest and crucifixion, but also for the responsibilities of the church born out of the resurrection. Jesus knew that without hope, disillusionment inevitably sets in.
When clouds of fear obscure the future, we are very reluctant to commit ourselves to much of anything. Jesus is saying across the perfect storms of centuries and cultures that God is committed to us no matter what the future looks like. God is not going to give up. God’s reserves of the Holy Spirit will not run out on us.
That is why Christians may have minds that look at some things differently and even might be considered totally unrealistic at the time. No matter what happens in Washington, Wall Street, or Day Hall tomorrow, there will be always reason to live as a community of hope. We live to fan the nascent sparks of God’s grace that will provide the light of humanity’s future. The welfare of people is our most important product.
The five wise bridesmaids knew that their purpose was to light the way. They didn’t know the time or how late it would be, just as we do not know when we will be surprised by a spark from the Holy Spirit. Visions of the Promised Land come in many forms. Always be prepared, the five wise bridesmaids tell us, for when the sparks appear, the time will be right now, the opportunity will be here before us, and the place where God will come upon us will be exactly where we are.
And I offer this to you in the name of the Living God, Amen.
