Pentecost 24 (year A, proper 27)- Matthew 25:1-13

 Both the Old Testament reading and the Gospel for this Sunday speak of the day of the Lord. The selection from Amos 5:18-24 is a stark prophetic warning of judgment for those who are not prepared. Insincere religion does not make a person spiritually or morally ready. God looks for righteousness rooted in living faith.

The Gospel reading from Matthew 25:1-13 is the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. In story form, it also points to the coming day of the Lord. Like several Biblical accounts, this parable compares the coming of the kingdom and the Messiah to a wedding. In first-century Palestine, friends of the bride would accompany her and the groom to his house. In this parable, ten young women have been invited to serve, and they have been given time to prepare. Five are ready, but five have been lazy and are not ready. They have no light for the procession, and so they are excluded from the feast. Our Lord concludes with a warning in Matthew 25:13, "Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

Human life on earth is like waiting for the groom's arrival. In grace, Christ has invited us to share in His eternal spiritual feast. God gives people the time and provides the necessary spiritual resources, but many do not appreciate His gracious offer. They just don't bother to prepare. Eventually, they run out of time and are left out of the kingdom.

In the Person of Jesus Christ, God has called us to the feast of the heavenly kingdom. He offers us divine grace and gives us time to respond faithfully, but we are not always appreciative. We are often foolish and lazy in our preparations. So we are warned to be more aware. God wants us to enjoy His presence, but He also expects us to appreciate His offer and respond to His grace with faithful and wise spiritual preparations.