Readings: Wisdom 6:12-16; Psalm 63; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13
Grace, mercy and peace to you, my dear family of God’s people.
Today, the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, the Church presents to us the parable of the Ten Bridesmaids. This is one of Jesus’ parables about the Kingdom. In the coming week, the 33rd Sunday, we shall hear the parable of the Talents, and on the last Sunday of the liturgical year, the Solemnity of Christ the King, we shall hear the parable of the Sheep and the Goats.
Let us reflect on today’s parable. Jesus uses the setting of a marriage feast to speak about His second coming.
Why marriage?
I. Marriage is the highest of all human relationships, and it portrays the relationship between Christ and the Church (Revelation 21:2; Ephesians 5:22-33). Christ is the Bridegroom, and the Church is His bride.
II. Marriage is marked by happiness and rejoicing, expressed through smiles, hugs, handshakes, laughter, beautiful clothes, meals and decorations. The coming of the Lord should also be a day of joy: a day when we enter into His presence, where there is fullness of joy.
III. A marriage ceremony involves careful and elaborate preparation. We, too, must prepare for the coming of the Lord.
In Jewish culture, the wedding feast would take place in the bridegroom’s house. The bridegroom and his friends would go at night to the bride’s house. They would take the bride, escorted by her friends and family, to the bridegroom’s house for the final stage of the marriage, known as Nissuin. Along the way, bridesmaids carrying lighted lamps would wait for them and lead them into the house or chamber where the celebration would take place.
These ten virgins were waiting to lead the bridegroom and the bride to the bridegroom’s house. The bridegroom was delayed. Unfortunately, there were no mobile phones to call him, and all the bridesmaids fell asleep. At midnight, the bridegroom arrived with the bride.
Some of the bridesmaids did not have enough oil. They did not go to buy more until they heard the midnight cry. They had presumed that the bridegroom would not be late, and then presumed that the other bridesmaids would share their oil with them should there be the need. Sadly, they were wrong, and they had to go and buy oil themselves. It took them longer to find it because it was midnight and most shops were closed. When they eventually returned, it was too late.
Imagine their sorrow. They had bought their dresses, waited anxiously for that day, put on their make-up and brought their lamps and oil. Unfortunately, they had not prepared enough. They could not enter, and they were left outside, crying.
What revealed their foolishness and lack of preparation was the delay.
This parable challenges us to reflect on how prepared we are for the coming of the Lord. This will be our Advent theme, so I will leave the message of preparation for Advent. In 2023, I preached on presumption. This year, let us reflect on four messages from this parable.
I. Delay as a great test
All the bridesmaids seemed the same. They were all dressed, they all slept, and they all had lamps. What distinguished the five phronimoi (wise or prudent) from the morai (foolish) was the delay.
Delay is one of the true tests of loyalty and faithfulness. When answers are delayed, when we are desperate and the Lord seems to be taking His time, when we have waited so long for something from God, when a blessing tarries, when we pray and nothing seems to be happening, and when our clock is ticking and all we have to hold on to is His promise, what do we do?
Do we keep trusting?
Do we keep loving God?
Do we remain faithful and loyal with an undivided heart?
Or do we become careless, compromise, choose an alternative to God, become upset and walk away?
II. The midnight cry
The bridesmaids waited. The bridegroom and his party were delayed, but at midnight they heard the cry: “The bridegroom is here!”
All of us here on earth are waiting for the Bridegroom. He has promised that He is coming:
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”
Revelation 22:12
In the Second Reading, St. Paul speaks about those who have fallen asleep. They are those who have heard the midnight cry: “The bridegroom is here!”
One day, we shall hear the same announcement. We shall hear the call to go out and leave this world. We shall hear that our time on earth is up. Will we be ready and prepared to meet the Lord?
III. Buy oil for yourself
When the foolish bridesmaids realise that their lamps are going out, they ask the wise for oil. The wise answer:
“No, there may not be enough for both us and you; go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.”
Here we learn a profound lesson: certain things are not transferable. Our prayers and piety can help our family members in some sense, but each person must find their own path of faith and develop their own relationship with God. Each person must repent for themselves, prepare to meet the Lord themselves and face their own judgement.
We cannot coast on the faith, prayers or character of our parents, a pious spouse, a friend or colleague, our pastors or a religious community. Let each person get their own oil. Salvation is also very personal in that sense.
IV. The door will not remain open forever
When the bridegroom arrived, the prepared bridesmaids entered the wedding feast, and the door was shut. When the foolish bridesmaids returned, the locked door was not opened, and the bridegroom gave them a chilling response:
“Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.”
My dear friends, there is a time for grace. There is a time to cry for mercy, to change, to repent, to work for the Lord and to ask for help. There is a time to get extra oil. That time is now. Now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Let us respond now. One day, it may be too late to repent, to cry for mercy, to ask for more time or to seek a second chance.
The First Reading invites us to seek wisdom. The greatest wisdom we need is the wisdom to live each day ready, to use our time sensibly and to prepare well for the moment when we shall hear: “The bridegroom is here!”
One day, we shall hear it. Our readiness will determine whether we join the eternal celebration or are locked out forever.
Again, wisdom consists in taking a matter of such eternal importance seriously.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus, give us wisdom to remain faithful through every delay, to prepare ourselves and to respond to Your grace today. When we hear the cry, “The Bridegroom is here,” may we be ready to enter Your eternal celebration. Amen.
Sermon preached by Fr Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on November 8, 2026