Today's Reading: Matthew 25:1-13
Daily Lectionary: Daniel 22:24-49; Revelation 19:1-21
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.(Matthew 25:4).
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Wise virgins, the bridesmaids, took oil in their lamps. That way if the groom came during the night, they could light their lamps and be ready to go. The foolish virgins took no oil and expected to get it from the others. Christ as the Bridegroom is a common theme in the Scriptures. He will return to claim His bride and His Bride, the holy, Christian church, will rejoice to be with Him forever.
Christ gave His life on the cross for the sin of the world. When he died, blood and water flowed from His side, the very blood and water of Holy Baptism and the Holy Supper which create and sustain His Bride, the church. Just as the Lord used Adam's rib to make his bride, Eve, from his side, so Jesus' bride is made from His side, by blood and water.
So what about the oil? How do you know you have oil in your lamp? That you won't run out. That you'll have oil even if you fall asleep (die) before Jesus comes again? Just what exactly is the oil? What does the oil do? It gives light. Who is the Light of the world? That's Jesus. So having oil means having Jesus. Christ comes to us and is given to us by the Spirit
To have oil is to have faith which the Holy Spirit gives us by water, word, body and blood. It is to have the Spirit and the forgiveness of sins and the light of Christ. Some people neglect these gifts. They think they're not important. On the Last Day, they'll be very surprised! They'll be wondering what's going on, trying to get some faith and be ready for Jesus. But by then it is too late. You, however, have been given this faith, and you are kept full of this faith and in this faith by Christ's holy gifts which give you the holy oil of the Spirit, even if you die before Jesus comes back.
Jesus is coming again, soon. Are you ready? Do you have oil? You do! Your lamp was filled at the font and it's topped off by the Absolution, preaching and the Sacrament. The Spirit has made you ready, a wise virgin waiting for the coming of the bridegroom. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Absolve, we implore You, O Lord, Your people from their offenses, that from the bonds of our sins which by reason of our frailty we have brought upon us we may be delivered by Your bountiful goodness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for the Sunday of the Fulfillment).