This week's sermon

 

BE PREPARED

       Today’s Gospel reminded me of the Boy Scout moto: “Be Prepared.”

       Ten bridesmaids set out with their oil lamps to meet the bridegroom and lead him to the banquet-hall.

       “Five of them were foolish,” Jesus tells his audience, “and five were wise.”

       The ‘wise’ ones brought extra oil for their lamps with them and the ‘foolish’ ones didn’t.

       So, half of them came ‘prepared’ for a long wait and half of them didn’t.

       Jewish weddings didn’t have a definite ‘start time’ in Jesus’ day. The wedding began when the bride and groom arrived. So, the bridesmaids had no idea how long they would have to wait. They had to ‘be prepared’ to wait as long as necessary.

       Reading this Gospel lesson reminded me of a hymn from my childhood.

       It went like this: “Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning./ Give me oil in my lamp,  I pray./ Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, burning, burning,/ burning till the break of day./ Sing hosannah, Sing hosannah, sing hosannah to the King of Kings!”

       Jesus’ story reflects what we must do as we wait for him to come again.

       We have to stay awake and be prepared for you “know neither the day nor the hour.”

       What does it mean for us today to ‘stay awake’ and ‘be prepared?’

       We must ‘stay awake’ so we notice what is going on in the world around us.

       And we must ‘be prepared’ to take the actions God wants us to take.

       You members of this little church are certainly awake to the poverty and hunger around you. The food and clothing at the back of the church are evidence that you are prepared to take the actions to correct some of those needs.

       You also do ‘work’ in the community to help those in need.

       God appreciates all that you do.

       And there are other things we are called to stand against. One is hatred and prejudice.

       Anti-Semitism and Anti-Muslim hatred has gone up several hundred percent since the war between Israel and Hamas began. It has reached college campuses. I heard three students from well known universities on TV a few days ago. One Musli woman and a Jewish man and woman all related incidents on their campuses that made them feel unsafe and worried them.

       American Jews and American Palestinians aren’t at war and they cannot be allowed to feel fearful in their own country.

       We must speak out against all racism—against Native Americans and African Americans and LGBTQ folks too! Nearly 150 years after the Civil War African Americans are still discriminated against. And Lord knows the land and resources of Native Americans are still in harm’s way.

       Speak up. Speak out. Donate to causes to restore equality for all people.

       One last thing—the use of guns in mass murders. Support causes and politicians who seek to limit the use of guns in our country. European nations and Canada do much better that we do when it comes to guns.

       So, stay awake, my brothers and sisters and be prepared to do whatever you can to right wrongs.

       That’s what Jesus asks us to do.

       So, DO IT!!!   Shalom and Amen.