Matt 25:1-13

Am I ready for God? This passage is connected to ideas of ‘judgement’ or ‘end times’ which was a notion very popular in the 1st century, including amongst Christians. The ‘kingdom of heaven’ is associated with life after death. God is coming and we do not know the ‘day nor the hour’. During the 1st century, the world was expected to end very soon – so one had to be ready. We still believe that God will come but after 2000 years of waiting, we know we could wait a while longer. Obviously it is also important for each of us to be prepared for when we die – and the judgement  that we believe that comes at that time.

A different understanding of the ‘kingdom of heaven’ is the ‘reign of God’. What if we think that the reign of God could be made manifest, in part, now? Surely that is a community, a place that is guided by justice, love and compassion. Heaven knows we need that right here on Earth, right now. So a more immediate understanding of this passage might be to ask, am I acting in a way that can help God’s reign be present now? Do I care for those on the margins of society, on the margins of my life? Do I help those with no voice, to speak? Do I use my God-given gifts and talents to build community? Am I welcoming to strangers? Do I laugh at myself and my faults – there I go again? Do I appreciate the small wonders of every day – like waking up, the sun, sky clouds, trees, birds, plants, people – and am I sufficiently awake to realise that God is talking to me, guiding me through them?

May we each be ready with the wisdom and grace to greet every day as the miracle it can be if we truly open our eyes. In so doing, we will build peace.