Sunday, November 8th, 2026, Proper 27

Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 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, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Matthew 25:1-13

I have to admit to struggling these last months, awaiting a hopeful surgery, which is finally scheduled. My sleep, eating, and all sorts of other normal patterns have been disrupted and upended while they use very different pain medications and do tests to see how best I will respond. Some days I am so tired, I just want to sleep. And here is Jesus, telling me, through a parable, to keep awake. What the bridesmaids were waiting for was more than just any groom. They await the arrival of the messiah in their lives, the blessings that have been promised if we will but keep awake. Pain has obscured my vision some days and the treatments have warped my sense of hopefulness. And to every one of us who is feeling that way, Jesus calls us to be awake. Jesus doesn't want us to miss the blessings, the new possibilities, the love and joy awaiting in the wings, so very nearby and imminent. We've all had some really bad days, and some wonderful ones. Let's keep awake to see what more is coming our way.

Precious Savior, you call us to stay awake

so we might receive blessing upon blessing.

You, O Lord, are my helper and deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry.

We are sometimes so overwhelmed and exhausted

that we fail to see your promises on the horizon.

You, O Lord, are my helper and deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry.

We wallow in our pain, our isolation and our fears

rather than stoking the fires and lighting the lamps.

You, O Lord, are my helper and deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry.

Help us to rise up, even when the pain overwhlems

so we might see your love arriving this new day.

You, O Lord, are my helper and deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry.

And help us lift up those who have given up 

so they too might know your love healing all our wounds.

You, O Lord, are my helper and deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry. Amen.