Wise, Active Waiting
- davidwperk
- Dec 21, 2023
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Thursday, December 21, 2023
The week of the third Sunday in Advent
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
25:1‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept…..13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
The full text of today’s Gospel reading can be found at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 939)
AM Psalm 50; PM Psalm [59, 60] or 33
Zech. 4:1-14; Rev. 4:9-5:5; Matt. 25:1-13
Today we celebrate the Feast of Thomas the Apostle. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
This parable of Jesus perplexes biblical specialists because so little information is available about marriage customs in Palestinian antiquity, which makes it more difficult to ferret out the significance of the details of the story. In it’s original setting in Jesus’ ministry, it addressed the lack of vigilance about the coming of the Kingdom of God in Jesus’ ministry. Those “bridesmaids” (the original language has virgins) who went out ill prepared were not ready to greet the bridegroom and usher him to the banquet. They bring to mind all who responded poorly to Jesus’ ministry.
The wise maidens bring to mind the Twelve and all who responded positively to Jesus’ preaching, teaching, and healing ministries. In Jesus’ coming, they saw the fulfillment of the hope of the prophets. All the maidens slept, but those with extra oil were able to spring into action the moment the delay ended. Those without extra oil evoke associations with those who resisted or ignored Jesus’ ministry. When the moment anticipated by the prophets arrived, the moment of response, they were unprepared.
The church after the resurrection heard this word in another context—with reference to Jesus’ second coming. Life must be lived with anticipation, no matter how long Jesus’ return might be delayed. The day and hour cannot be predicted, but living life faithfully and alertly each day will insure that we will be able to spring into action in a moment. This does not mean passive waiting, like those who set dates for Jesus’ return and withdraw from life as they wait.
Rather, we are being called to an active, discerning way of waiting. We can hear this parable against the backdrop of everyday life. Jesus’ “next” coming is much nearer than his final one. That next coming may be in the person of a key moment in another’s life—a child, a spouse, a friend. Will I be able to spring into action and respond to that moment? Or will the ripe moment pass me by unnoticed? The next key moment might be an epiphany about my own life, a moment of awareness that Jesus’ voice and invitation are before me for larger freedom and a richer life. Will I spring into action and take the steps necessary, or will I sink back into slumber, continuing as I always have?
So, how would that look in your life? What if you were standing in tiptoe watching for Jesus’ next appearing, actively watching and waiting and then springing into action. I find this a daunting, yet energizing challenge, standing on spriitual tiptoe confident that Jesus will be just around the next corner. What an exciting way to life, watching for the next rebirth of wonder. Lawrence Ferlinghetti caught this note of suspenseful living in one of his poems.
I am waiting for the Second Coming
and I am waiting
for a religious revival
to sweep through the state of Arizona
and I am waiting for
the grapes of wrath to be stored
and I am waiting
for them to prove
that God is really American
and I am seriously waiting
for Billy Graham and Elvis Presley
to exchange roles seriously
and I am waiting
to see God on television
piped onto church altars
if only they can find
the right channel
to tune in on
and I am waiting
for the last supper to be served again
with a strange new appetizer
and I am perpetually awaiting
a rebirth of wonder.
__________
Lawrence Ferlinghetti, A Coney Island of the Mind (New York: New Direction, 1958), pp. 49-50.
Collect of the Day, The third Sunday of Advent
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you an the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 212)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Thomas, the Apostle.
Collect of the Feast of Thomas the Apostle
Everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in your Son's resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for Protection
O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead: We thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and humbly ask for your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP, 124)
For the Nation
Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 258)
A Prayer for Light
Almighty God, we give you thanks for surrounding us, as daylight fades, with the brightness of the vesper light; and we implore you of your great mercy that, as you enfold us with the radiance of this light, so you would shine into our hearts the brightness of your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
O God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your holy Church, they may be brought to know and worship you as you have been revealed in your Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 257)
Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 25:1-13
25:1‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” 7Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” 9But 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.” 10And 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. 11Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” 12But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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