Monday December 6, 2021

Today is Monday, December 6 and during this second week of Advent we explore what the Bible says about watchfulness.

As I begin this time of prayer, I pause and become still. I breathe slowly and deeply, and focus my mind on the presence of God’s Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, thank you for loving me and watching over me. Reveal the message you have for me today through the power of your Holy Spirit. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

In awe of God’s steadfast love and kindness, I praise him with the words of Psalm 33.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth – he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. Psalm 33:12-15

Pause and Pray

In Matthew chapter 25, Jesus tells a parable about ten bridesmaids in order to explain the coming of the kingdom of heaven. The parable is based on the ancient Judean custom that the bridegroom fetched his bride from her parent’s home. After he negotiated the dowry price, the groom returned with his bride to his parent’s home for a days-long, festive celebration and banquet. The bridesmaids would watch for the wedding couple’s arrival and escort them to the wedding banquet with dancing and singing. In this instance the bridegroom was a “long time in coming” or “delayed” and the bridesmaids became drowsy and fell asleep. They did not stay alert and keep watch. They had one job to do and that was to watch for the bridegroom’s return. They overlooked the dwindling supply of oil and then it was too late.

“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.” Matthew 25:1-10 (NRSV)

The journey of Advent is about learning to wait and watch for the Lord. The word Advent is from the Latin advene means “to come”. There are three instances of Jesus’ coming – past, present and future. Long ago, Jesus came into the world as a tiny baby in a manger to be the Savior of the world. Jesus comes into my heart and life anew today to set the circumstances of my life right and bring me peace and joy. Jesus will return someday and the kingdom of heaven will ultimately reign on earth forever. Jesus tells me to watch for his coming, like bridesmaids who wait for a bridegroom who has been delayed. I imagine being one of the ten bridesmaids. Did I think to bring a flask of oil for my lamp or did I forget? When I consider my spiritual journey, what does the flask of oil represent for me? What is the lamp I need to keep lit as I watch for Jesus to come? In my faith life, am I awake, alert, attentive and sober? Or do I find myself inattentive, drowsy, sleepy, apathetic or complacent?

Ask: What do I need to do to keep my spiritual lamp lit? What in my soul needs to be awakened or revived?

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, I long for your kingdom to be fully realized on earth as it is in heaven. Teach me how to take my lamp, equip myself to meet you, and wait expectantly for you to come. Show me what it means for me to keep my lamp lit and be prepared with extra oil while waiting. Help me stay alert and watch for your coming into my heart, my life and my world. I read your parable of the ten bridesmaids again, listening for the message you have for me today.

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.” Matthew 25:1-10 (NRSV)

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Sometimes I find the parables of Jesus difficult to apply to my own life, so I carefully pay attention to the nuances of this passage and what the Holy Spirit might be prompting in me today. I ask myself what image comes to mind as I reflect on this scene. Where am I in the story? All the bridesmaids fall asleep. I am not the only drowsy one in the bunch. All the bridesmaids are awakened at midnight and invited to come meet Jesus. Fifty percent were wise and ready, the other fifty percent were called foolish and had to go buy more oil. They are not prepared. What about me? Do I possess what is required? Do I have what is necessary? Am I ready to meet the bridegroom when he comes? Am I waiting and watching? Am I ready for Jesus?

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, I pray you will come into my heart and life today. I invite you into my circumstances and ask you to not delay. Come and set things right. I am ready and waiting for you, Lord. Awaken me, keep me alert and teach me how to keep my lamp lit at all times as I watch for you. Amen.

Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NRSV)

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I go with a fresh attentiveness, watching for the ways of God at work in my life and the lives of others. Amen.