Jesus prepared his followers for the eschatological kingdom by telling them what that kingdom is like. He knew that they were expecting him to bring the messianic kingdom to the world. They were right, he was going to do it. But they just didn’t understand what that kingdom was about.
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, `Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, `Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, `Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, `Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:1-12).
The kingdom of God is the kingdom of love. Jesus, the messiah, is love incarnate. He is the bridegroom. He shall consummate his love with his beloved. The passion of Christ is the demonstration of God’s love for us. He suffered the wrath of humanity in his supreme humility to bring our focus back on him. He wanted to show us that there was nothing he would not do to win us over. He would go the distance, even to the lowest depths of hell, for his beloved. But what is our response? Do we say yes to the bridegroom?
O faithful, let us be on fire with love for the Bridegroom, and with lamps burning, let us go out to meet him. May the light of our virtues shine brightly, and may our faith be radiant. With the wise Virgins, let us prepare to enter the banquet hall of the Lord; for the divine Spouse offers us all the crown of immortality (From The Bridegroom Matins).
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