Are you ready to join the party?

Are you ready to join the party? That is the question our gospel asks us. Of course, there are some other questions that go with that – like - what kind of party is it? And when is this party?

The answer to that first question is found whenever prophets talk about the celebration in the kingdom to come, when God’s reign replaces human unfaithfulness with God’s faithfulness and justice. Matthew talks about it in places like the beatitudes at the beginning and the story of the sheep and goats at the end. It is some party!

And when is it? In the story some street-wise virgins weren’t sure and brought some spare oil. And some not so street wise virgins thought they knew and had enough oil to last that long. Getting stuck on the details distracts us from what Jesus and Matthew were trying to point to. It’s a made-up story. Don’t fret about virgins not sharing or bridegrooms being tardy. Matthew’s community had waited a long time and were starting to wonder if they had enough oil to last.  Matthew’s answer is – the party will begin when the party begins, be ready to wait. In the meantime, keep that light burning.

This is not the “sitting around having a snooze” kind of waiting that ALL the virgins do. This kind of waiting involves getting the world ready for this party. It involves seeing the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers as the most important people and seeking to become like them. It is being numbered among the sheep, even if we didn’t know we were. That is the oil.  There is a lot of work to be done.

When is the party? Maybe another answer is – the party has begun already. It’s been going awhile. It is going on everywhere God’s reign of justice and peace has been breaking out. It is happening every time those listed above are esteemed and honour.

What kind of party do we think we are being invited to actively wait for? How do we respond to the invitation to join in?