Today’s gospel reminds me of a T-shirt I once saw that read: “Jesus is Coming. Look Busy.”
But more than just looking busy, we are called to be busy about the Lord’s work, to “stay awake” and be prepared for the coming of Jesus. There are different ways to consider the coming of Jesus: his coming at Christmas, his coming at the end of each of our lives, and his coming at the end of time.
And what is it that we are to be busy about? How are we to stay awake? We are given some idea in the first reading, with its praise of wisdom. This ties in with the traditional name of the story we heard in the Gospel, the parable of the foolish bridesmaids.
Evidently, being ready has something to do with the embrace of wisdom. But as St. Paul likes to remind us, God’s wisdom is different from human wisdom.
A story may help to tie this idea of wisdom and preparedness together.
In preparation for his Second Coming, Jesus sent his best friend John to earth to gather ideas for where the Second Coming should take place. “John,” Jesus said, “You know my heart. You know what works for me. Talk to some people on earth and come back with some ideas for me.”
So John came to earth to scout out locations. After quite a long time, he came back to report to Jesus.
“Yeshuah,” John said, because that’s what he called him on earth, “I’ve talked to thousands of people, and I’ve narrowed it down to three options.
“The first offer comes from the pope. He suggests you appear in the heavens above St. Peter’s Basilica with a huge flash of lightning. Then you descend into St. Peter’s Square before the television cameras of the world and take a seat upon a throne. He is commissioning a beautiful gold crown and vestments for you to wear. Here’s his first draft of your speech. It’s 40 pages. Covers all the main points he’s been trying to get across for some time.”
Jesus nodded. “Well, an invitation from Peter’s successor is something to be considered seriously. Go on.”
“Well, Rabbi,” John said, because sometimes he calls Jesus that for old times’ sake, “the second offer is from the right to life people. They would like you to be a guest of honor at a huge awards dinner at the Waldorf Astoria. With you as a draw, they feel they can push their cause to the forefront and raise enough money to give campaign contributions to thousands of pro-life politicians to outlaw abortion everywhere.”
Jesus thought. “There’s no doubt that abortion is a serious problem. What’s your third choice?”
“Jesus,” John said, because sometimes he talks to Yeshuah in English just for fun, “there’s a run-down little hustler bar on the eastern end of Santa Monica Boulevard. The manager there said some of the regulars would like to meet you, and he’ll buy your first beer and an order of nachos.”
“That’s a lovely offer, John,” Jesus said. “All of these are good suggestions. Thank you for all your work, and thank everyone who made a suggestion for their invitations. I think you know which one appeals to me.”
“Yes Lord,” John said, because that’s what he calls Jesus when he knows he’s doing something awesome. “I’ll tell Gabriel to make all the arrangements.”
Which offer do you think Jesus accepted?
If you think you know, what does that tell us about the difference between God’s wisdom and the wisdom of the world?
And what does that choice tell us about what we should be doing, and how we should be ready for the coming of the Lord?
Jesus is coming. Let’s get busy.
