24th Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 5:18-24; Psalm 70; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13
For the remainder of November, the Revised Common Lectionary presents us with three parables in the Gospel of Matthew about the return of Jesus and the judgment it may bring to God’s people. All are significantly challenging, each in its own way.
This narrative begins in the first verse of Chapter 24. Before that, Jesus sparred with the religious leaders in the temple after they questioned his authority (chapters 21 -23). Following those exchanges, Jesus leaves the temple with his disciples and warns them that it will be eventually brought down (24:1-2). The disciples then ask about the signs of when his coming and the end of the age would occur (verse 3). Jesus’ answer is a long discourse about the upcoming destruction of the temple – historically, such “desolate sacrilege” happened a few decades after Jesus’ death, when the Roman Legions burned the temple during the Jewish revolt (circa 66-70 CE or AD), forcing the Jerusalem population to desperately flee and seek safety in the mountain top fortress of Masada – Jesus’ speech focus on the need for watchfulness through turbulent times, as not even himself would know the date (24:36). Still, surely, he will return as the “Son of Man” (verse 36; see also Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1:7,14).
Fast forward to the ten bridesmaids who need to be ready (Matthew 25: 1-13). They were given the necessary things to fulfill their role in wedding among God and the people, which was supposed to seal the promise of their redemption (Hosea 2:9; Isaiah 61:10-11). They should have their lamps and enough oil. When the time comes, some are prepared, some are not. Both groups get woken from their sleep by the joyful invitation to come and meet the bridegroom (verse 6). However, the unprepared group all of a sudden gets demanding. “Give us” (verse 8), in the original Greek text, is in the imperative form, and so is “open to us” (verse 11). As a consequence, the bridegroom does not acknowledge them (12).
Paul assures the church in Thessalonica that all the saints who have died accepting the invitation to be in faithful relationship with Jesus Christ, becoming light for the world alongside him, will be reconciled with God.
Amos prophesies the day of the Lord might be gloomy and not glamorous. God is not interested in empty rituals and celebrations but in what lumens the night with justice and righteousness.
“Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;
let those who love your salvation say forever, ‘Great is the Lord!’
But as for me, I am poor and needy; come to me quickly, O God.
You are my helper and my deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry (Psalm 70:4-5).”
Bridging Faith 