The Second Sunday of Advent (CL)

Matthew 25:1-13
1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For 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, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Mt 25:1-13). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Nobody knows the day nor the hour of the coming of Christ. Christ reminds his disciples to be alert. They need to be ready at any moment in time for his coming. What if Christ came while you are still reading this. Would you feel ready? What about earlier today or even yesterday? Out of the ten virgins 50% actually make it with the Bridegroom. But many are called and few are chosen.

Most of us have days when we truly pray come Lord Jesus. But for many those days a few and far between. It is not until someone brings up the immanent return of our Savior, that we really give it a second thought. Pastors and church leaders can not be prepared for their people. But they can remind their people to be prepared. The Wise Virgins should remind the foolish Virgins to get extra oil, but they do not. The Foolish Virgins should have remained prepared, but they were arrogant.

But we are still left with no knowledge of when our Lord will return. Be mindful of our Lord's coming. Be on guard and be prepared, because we do not know when the bridegroom will arrive. When the hour comes, your enemies have been destroyed. The Victory has been won through Jesus Christ our Bridegroom.