Johannine Hours - Matthew 25,1-13 - December 1995


[The "Johannine hours" are meant as a way of seeking God in silence and
prayer in the midst of our daily life. During the course of a day, take a
moment to read the Bible passage with the short commentary and to
reflect on the questions which follow. Afterwards, a small group people
can meet to share what they have discovered and perhaps for a time of
prayer.] 


When Jesus began to "manifest his glory" in Cana of Galilee, he took part
in a wedding celebration and made sure it was not disturbed by the lack
of wine (John 2). Earlier, the prophets had proclaimed the "joy of the
bridegroom" that God would feel for his beloved people (cf. Isa 62,5).
Jesus himself compares the time of the encounter with God to a wedding,
in order to emphasize that God is happy to love and he draws those he
loves into his joy. The story of ten girls invited to a wedding feast
follows along the same lines: Christian life involves going to meet the
one we love (the "bridegroom," says the parable). 

The girls going out with their lamps perhaps echo the excitement of the
first Christians as they expected the Kingdom to come very soon. But then
time passes: "the bridegroom was late" (v.5). The world is not changing;
the festival that was to console the afflicted and restore dignity to the
victims of injustice seems far away. The time of waiting becomes
burdensome. The ten girls grow drowsy, just as the disciples, invited to
stay alert, fell asleep out of sadness (Luke 22,45). 

The lamps that the girls lit stand for prayer. Even today candles before
icons or on the altar continue the custom of the early Christians during
their celebrations that lasted "until the middle of the night; a number of
lamps were lit in the upstairs room where we were assembled" (Acts
20,7-8). But what is the oil that causes the lamps to burn? The five girls
who have enough oil are unable share it with the others. Without claiming
to give a definitive reply, we would not be wrong to think of the Holy
Spirit here. He keeps on watching and praying in us, even when we become
drowsy. Whoever waits with love can say, "I am asleep, but my heart is
alert" (Song of Songs 5,2). But nobody can accustom their heart to an
intimacy with the Holy Spirit in the place of another. 

          What am I waiting for in my life; in what direction would I like to
          go? 
          How can prayer alone or with others sustain our waiting for an
          event of God? 
          How can we always be ready for an encounter with God? 


"Johannine Hours" - 12/95 - ©71250 Taizé-Community, France.
taize@cpe.ipl.fr 




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