“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten young women 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 young women 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 young women 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, NRSVue)
I always ponder these passages where some are left out. Those who do not have enough or are not prepared have to leave and come back too late. Meaning, if you are not ready or prepared, you will be left behind. And why are the ones who were prepared not helping?
Jesus became one of us to show us how to love others, not shame them and send them away when it is time to bring in the kingdom.
We need to see others as God does: children of God. All were created by God, and if you think that someone does not belong because they are different from you, oh honey, you are in for a surprise. Diversity is beautiful and radiant, and God is the maker of all diverse things and people.
So do not send someone away; lift them up and help them see they are loved just as you are loved.
Love.
