Today's parable from the Gospel of Matthew about the maidens is probably familiar to us, especially with its teaching that we should be prepared at all times since we do not know when Jesus will come again. Perhaps we can also identify with the foolish, unprepared maidens at one time or another in our lives when we have not been as prepared as we should have been. We can remember those times when we procrastinate in life, putting something off to the last minute. We might have put off writing a paper for a college course, having to stay up all night to get it done. Or to leave late for an important appointment, only have to rush on the road to get there. We need to learn from those times we are not ready the way we should be. Those of us who put ourselves under the rule of God's kingdom as Christ's followers should always be ready and prepared to play our role in the on-going story of God's relationship to us.
The main fault of these foolish maidens was not that they fell asleep or that they failed to have oil in their lamps, but rather that they were not ready to welcome the bridegroom with joy when he arrived. We, too, are to joyfully welcome the coming of God's kingdom to all, to welcome Christ's arrival with joy when he comes again. And I wonder: How do we express the joy of God's kingdom in our own lives? How do we communicate this joy to others?
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