Are You Prepared? - Matthew 25 - Proper 27A

Are you prepared?

Tony E Hansen

Sermon based upon Matthew 25:1-13; Psalm 70; Joshua:24 1-3,14-25

Opening prayer

When I was growing up, I was part of this organization called the Cubs Scouts. Unfortunately, this org has been tainted by decades of corruption and abuses. We were however taught a few things like the three-finger salute, earning badges through works of character, an oath to God, country and to others to “do your best” and surrounding this was this lofty thing called being prepared.

That if somehow one got caught in the woods somewhere, you just might have a chance of finding your way out. We would learn things like how to make fire from sticks and rocks or which leaves you don’t touch.

Nonetheless, I never got lost in the woods (yet) and these days we can whip out a device with a map and encyclopedia. The mantra of being prepared stayed. 

Today, when I go cycling, I check my water bottles, snacks, charged lights and air in tires. (Something that we impressed upon Dream Team youth.) 

Anyone who trains for an event (whether RAGBRAI or otherwise), you do things to prepare, but there is the inevitable question.

Is that enough? How would I know?

Matthew 24-25 with these parables telling us about preparing for the end: the eschatological discourse. Why do we spend time talking about the end of times?  It can be a grim topic but there is value in preparing ourselves for the inevitable. 

Ten people were given a task : to wait for a bridegroom that arrives late. Hold onto that for a minute.

Yet the focus of the parable is not about the bridegroom but these bridesmaids who fall asleep waiting for this late person. Some were wise and brought oil for their lamps and some did not.

The foolish then go buy oil for their lamps, and while doing that, the groom shows, the banquet begins, and the door shuts. The foolish did not get back in time. 

Why didn’t they just stay? Why did the “wise" tell them to go buy some oil at that moment ? Why was the groom late? Why didn’t they have torches instead of lamps? Aren’t we supposed to share with people?

For us, are we prepared?  Many of us who go to church regularly and say our prayers routinely, we think “I am in the clear and ready.”  Yet even my dad (for whom mass on Sunday was not optional and prayers were required in the house) when his time came, he asked, “did I do enough?”

There is an answer (not my answer), and the question remains.

When the time comes for us, what is God’s answer to your inquiry?  

Rather, are you prepared for the answer that is waiting for you - any day and every day?

Anything could happen to us at anytime. We are not to be scared of this fact, but instead mindful, that what we do in the present and what we have done matters. That whatever screw ups we have done, we make amends where possible.

Even more than that, being prepared is being mindful that what we do today and now is important.

What are you doing today to better your relationship with God, with love, peace, forgiveness and faith? What are you doing to better your relationship with your neighbors?

Are we just decorating our lives with symbols and tokens, but not actually living the words we recite?  People adorn their homes with plaques and phrases like Joshua 24:15b “to serve the LORD” without understanding the context from which the verse comes to us. 

Read the questions that Joshua poses again. There is a choice offered as well as questions.  Also, what does it mean to “serve the LORD.”?

Saying the correct prayers with correct words and attending worship on Sunday. That is nice and great to see you in church but then what?  Does it end there ? 

Do we leave God in the church pews or do we walk with God walk into the world and into our conversations and interactions with each other? Not as boastful religious zealots, but living with God in the heart, breath, and our actions.

It doesn’t matter with whom we interact: what they wear, how they speak, with whom they love or from where they live. God wants us to treat each other with dignity, grace, love and non-judgment - even if they irritate us. 

Yes, take God with you into the world. Don’t leave God for special occasions, just for church or plaques on the wall.

That means the lessons we read and hear in worship ought be guiding us in the rest of our lives. Live the verses.

Parents have a great job here because you can teach your children to do this as well. Be the walking demonstration of this.

I have seen whole families join us at UBFM for food prep and/or going out on the routes. What a beautiful way to spend family time and teach each other about the world around us - as well as showing extravagant welcome - one burrito at a time. 

We don’t necessarily need oaths and mottos like the Cub Scouts. Let God work and guide you. 

Prayer books are fine and useful. Pray and do what is in your Spirit-led heart.

That is how we prepare. That is something we all need to do, regardless of training. 

There is a path for us and Jesus lights the lamps with divine fire.

For us who screw up, God is there with forgiveness for you.

Be the face of God to people who need to see God today and now. It is that simple. 

This is the Scout “helping people at all times” by being gracious, welcoming, and friendly to all our neighbors at all times. 

Then you don’t need to worry if you have done enough.

“…For you know neither the day nor the hour…”

Thanks Be to God, Amen