The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (GA)

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.

I just thought of something while opening this text. The parable of the Ten Virgins have a problem of some have oil and others have no oil or too little oil. We may be a little distant from Hannach but was not the miracle that God made the little bit of oil last a long time. Then you have the Old Testament Lesson with Elijah and his sacrifice. He takes a Extreme Fire warning situation and makes it blank because there is not even the least of danger with all that water. But when Elijah prays to God he answers by giving him all the Fire he needs to lick up every last piece of the sacrifice. Why can't the Foolish Virgins just pray for God to light their lamps?

Does this passage remind us that we need to do something? No, it reminds us that we need to stay prepared. Those who let their words speak from the street corners or talk about it but do not actually do it are not well prepared. Those who only prepare for a short time will not be ready when the thief shows up in the middle of the night. The Foolish Virgins could latter be paralleled with those at the time of Noah caught off guard when the flood comes. Just like those illustrations above they expect God to light their lamps and make their oil last without any support or activity.

But the people prayed that the oil would last so that the temple would be purified. Elijah was defending the word of God and his message for the people even when he prays for God to consume his Sacrifice. Jesus prays even from the cross that the father would forgive those who crucified him. These virgins pray to their fellow virgins. Where do you turn in time of trouble? Turn to God who is heaven. Turn to the Bridegroom for he is coming. He has come to forgive you of your sins and cleanse you from them. But he has also given you the gift of access to your Father in Heaven. He will strengthen you in the true faith.