Waiting Wisely for the Bridegroom

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids 

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. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

I always think of the church of St. Maria in Trestevere, in Rome, when I hear this Gospel:


The Church

The Facade

Detail of the Facade

You can see that the lamps of the Bridesmaids on the left (on the right of St. Mary) have their lamps lit, and the Bridesmaids on the right do not - YET interestingly - ALL 10 have have a halo!!!
We need to be ready - but in the end Salvation is God's doing!
I am on Holidays for 2+ weeks - and may or may not post!


Peace