Restricted Numbers at Weddings : Wise or Foolish?

We have seen it all. This pandemic has caused the authorities to limit the number of people who can attend weddings. But as we read the parable, which character would you be? Are we wise or foolish?

Since last week, we have moved on at pace. The Lectionary, the system of passages to be considered each week over the year, misses out Chapter 24 completely. So a quick run through:

The disciples have marvelled at the Temple building to be told that it’s going to be destroyed. Not only the buildings but they themselves will be tortured, some killed, some will fall away from faith. The focus upon looking after the other will go. There’s even lines which have fuelled the Fundamentalist movement of the 1920s in the US, promoting the Rapture. Even Cliff Richard used a line in one of his songs:

I wish we’d all been ready
Two men walking up a hill one disappears and one’s left standing still

Cliff Richard, Lyrics

Wedding

The Kingdom of Heaven will be like…it’s a parable. We have already had one parable about a Wedding, so here’s a different take. We have ten bridesmaids – yes the word in Greek could mean virgins, but also, as per Mary in the birth narratives, “Parthenos” could also mean young girl. Five of the bridesmaids are wise, five are foolish. They await the bridegroom, and other translations add the bride. That would be common in 1st C culture.

Whom might we associate with?

The wise take extra oil with them, perhaps because they can afford this commodity. The foolish just took their lamps as is. It’s going to be ok, if the bridegroom is on time. Are we wise or foolish?

They all fall asleep. Just like the disciples who fell asleep with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Have we ever done that in Church, or elsewhere?

Oh! the bridegroom has arrived! Quick, make the lamps bright! So the wise have their lamps glowing brightly, the foolish ones have lamps which are going out. What to do?

“Hey, can we have some of your oil? You won’t need any more now because the bridegroom has arrived“. But their response seems not what might have been expected if we are depicting the Kingdom of Heaven, does it?

‘We cannot share with you because we might – might? – not have enough for ourselves’.

Matthew 25:9 paraphrase

The wise ones are admitted, and the foolish ones are banished into the outer darkness? Are we wise or foolish?

Let’s reset

The bridegroom and bride have arrived – late. Not cool. The bridesmaids have stayed up, possibly long after their bedtime, and have fallen asleep – are we blaming them for that?

The wise ones, who have more than they need, are unwilling to share with those who have little. The inequality here is striking – more of this next week. The bride couple must have been delighted to see their bridesmaids, but it would seem are happy for half of them to go and disturb the local neighbourhood asking for any spare oil. What reaction might they have got near to you?

The author of this Gospel was writing post the destruction of the Temple building post 70 AD. The Jewish leaders of the time were trying to bring together the various strands of Judaism, and of course ‘The Way‘ those who followed Jesus as the Messiah. Those leaders might well have closed the door to the Jesus people.

This parable was told to the Jews, we may need to look at with such a perspective as they did – not directly through western eyes.

What of Heaven?

Is it for those who have enough, even more than enough, but do not share with others? Jesus later speaks of another parable which ends: “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do for the least of these, you did not do it for me” (Matthew 25:45)

Some might question whether this parable is about preparedness. We should be ready. What level is ready? What ‘qualification’ is necessary to be ready? Is this a form of ‘justification by works’? rather than being received by God through faith?

There’s that line at Matthew 25:12 about ‘for you do not know on what day (or time) your Lord is coming‘ – a mirroring of Matthew 24:42. I am indebted to a Local Preacher for highlighting that ‘Keep awake’, in the Greek, can also be known as ‘Be vigilant’. Strive to walk with God perhaps.

Who did you associate with in this parable?

Was it the foolish bridesmaids? Have we ever felt that we had insufficient faith? That we hadn’t prepared enough? And that we had found people who wouldn’t share with us? This is a parable. Are we wise or foolish?

If we find ourselves in darkness, remember that we are still in a holy place, with God.

…but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.”

Psalm 139:12

Oh, may the Church which hears this passage, throw open its doors, whether they be physical or virtual (online), and welcome those who, like us all, have made mistakes. For God will welcome us all.

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[Inspiration taken from David Roberts]