Sermon 10-30-2011

Matthew 25:1-13

“Investing in What is To Come.”

PRAYER

“Few human events are more weighted emotionally than weddings. Parents invest heavily – time, energy, creativity, resources, love and hope – in the marriage ceremony for a beloved daughter or son. Because they are so loaded with emotional content, weddings are actually fragile events, with lots of potential for mishap, and even disaster. For one thing, the main character – the bride and groom, and their parents – are stretched thin, and deep feelings come easily to the surface. There are tears at weddings, and profound hope, but also sometimes anger, resentment, and frustration. In the midst of all that, things can and do go wrong and often do. In private conversations clergy share stories of weddings that near disaster: the best man got lost and never made it to the rehearsal, the bridal dress was the wrong size, the flowers were not delivered, the groom forgot the license.” (John M. Buchanan, “Feasting on the Word,” Year A, vol. 4, pg. 284)

Similar to the wedding example, we here at CSCC have our hope invested in the search committee who is representing the church in the finding of the next pastor; in the midst of all the process and preparation for that special moment, “we have profound hope, but also sometimes anger, resentment and frustration, can surface.” (ibid)

“It is significant that near the end of his life, at the time for summing up, Jesus chose this most human, emotionally loaded event as the context for a parable about the kingdom: “The kingdom of heaven will be like this.

It helps to know a bit about wedding customs of the day. Weddings in Jesus’ day were every bit as emotionally weighted as ours are today, with the same potential for mishap. Guests assembled at the home of the bride and were entertained by her parents while waiting for the groom. When the bridegroom approached, the guests, including the bridesmaids, lighted torches and went out to greet him. In a festive procession, the entire party walked to the groom’s home where his parents were waiting for the ceremony and the extended banquet that would follow and continue for several days…

In the parable, for whatever reason, the groom does not show up on time; the hours pass, and many of the waiting party fall sleep. Finally, at midnight, they are awakened with a shout, “He’s coming.” The bridesmaids leap in action, trim their lamps, and head out to meet him. Five of the ten have used up their oil, and have no reserves. Their attempt to borrow some from their wiser, more prudent sisters is rejected. Frantically, they set out in search for oil something not easily found at midnight, and in the process miss the procession. When they finally arrived at the groom’s home, they are locked out and dismissed. “Keep awake,” Jesus concludes, “you do not know the day nor the hour.” Staying alert, waiting purposefully, being prepared is the message here.

The early Christians had to adjust to the reality that Jesus did not return as they fully expected, and that their mission was to wait expectantly while living faithfully, courageously, hopefully. It is our mission still. At the heart of our faith is the certainty that human history has a purpose and a goal and that it is moving toward eventual fulfillment and completion… The point is living expectantly and hopefully. Christian hope rests on trust that the God who created the world will continue to love the world with gentle providence, will continue the process of creation until the project is complete, and will redeem and save the world by coming into it with love and grace, in Jesus Christ.

In every congregation are faithful people genuinely frightened about where human history seems to be headed. (It’s all over the news every day). Freedom, justice, and compassion seem fragile in the face of the forces of oppression, injustice, violence, and torture. Living in hope does not mean immunity to the harsh realities of history. On the contrary, it means living confidently and expectantly, trusting that the Lord of history continues to come into life with compassion and redemption and hope.

The challenge (for the church today), is to keep enough oil on hand for the lamps until the bridegroom appears, to roll up its sleeves and work for the kingdom that is always coming and breaking into history.

Also in every congregation are people genuinely afraid for their personal future, facing serious illness, surgery, or loss of employment (and financial difficulty). They, and each of us, need to hear (once again) the good news that the bridegroom will come, that the love of God will continue to appear in our lives in surprising and unexpected ways:

Jesus Christ comes when Christian people live in hope and never give up.

Jesus Christ comes when the faithful disciples express love and compassion and work for justice.

Jesus Christ comes when critically ill people know they are ultimately safe in God’s love.

Heaven breaks into earth when faithful women and men live in hope and give themselves to the work of the kingdom of God.” (Idem, p. 284-288)

How do we continue to invest as we wait?

Let’s go back to the story: “The only difference between the wise and foolish virgins is this: the wise virgins are prepared for the wait and therefore bring extra oil. So while the foolish virgins are out searching for a twenty-four hour convenience store that stocks lamp oil, the bridegroom and the wise virgins begin the wedding feast and the doors are shut.”

( Mark Douglas, “Feasting on the Word,” Year A, vol. 4, p. 284)

The text reminds us that, “assuming that we have enough, does not give us an entrance into the banquet. Instead it’s asking us to prepare to wait and to avoid assuming that we have enough (knowledge, faith, love, etc) in our lamps right now… That the bridegroom delays, does not mean he will not come, and that the party will not really start until he arrives. It asks us to live in hope for what has been promised and what will be but is not yet. It reminds that knowledge, faith, and love are tools for living in the time before eternity, not tools to gain entrance into it.” (idem, p. 286)

Why do we need to invest in what is to come?

We are called to live in the here and now… we are called to continue the commitment we have with God, the church and one another.

We hold on to hope as we continue to be “faithful in all things.”

While we are here in this time of giving, searching and waiting in the life of the church and in our history, “it is wise to fill our lamps with good things, we should remember that those things are for use this side of eternity. There is already more than enough light (on the other side) at the banquet.” (idem, p.288)

Let our light shine!

BENEDICTION

“In the choices, in the challenges, on the roads we walk…”

May God be our guiding light, as we hear his voice.

“In the choices, in the challenges, on the paths we tread…”

May we know our Gentle God, as we discern you will

for ourselves and for the church.

Go out into the world with the peace of Christ. Amen!