Matthew 25:7-12

“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.’” vss. 8-9

While we can easily understand the theme of readiness that may be the point of this parable, we’re left feeling sad about the foolish bridesmaids who missed the party. We might even be irritated at the so-called wise ones who were unwilling to share–it doesn’t seem like the “Christian” thing to do. We may even picture how awful it must have been to stand outside the dancehall and pound on the door.

It’s easy to get caught up in those details of Jesus’ parables and draw conclusions that have nothing to do with the major point. This parable is about living prudently and being ready in every circumstance. It’s not about who gets into heaven. It’s about the kingdom of God! Because all people are both good and broken, every one of us will make both wise and foolish decisions in the course of our lifetimes.

We see this reflected in our faith communities. Some live mostly prudent lives while others do one dumb thing after another. A few will be damaged by their reckless and imprudent choices. These are the folks that others can lift up, love, and cherish. They don’t need lectures or putdowns, and they certainly don’t need to be turned away from the door!

Thought for the Day: How do I treat people who make foolish choices?