Are We Carrying Oil for Our Lamps?

a reflection from the Rev. Stephen Mazingo

This Sunday’s gospel from Matthew is a sometimes confusing parable. The parable is dealing with the second coming or the eschaton (end times) and how prepared we are for that time. It is a troubling parable, to say the least. However, I feel it also speaks about endurance. The need that the church will have to endure through hardships, division, uncertainty, and the flawed humanity that makes up the body of the church. It is for us at St. Philip’s a message that draws us to reflect. In this time there is much uncertainty, fear, and division. It is in times such as this that the Gospel message is vital. The Gospel gives us hope for the long vision. A vision that guides us down a winding road with peaks and valleys but ends on the mountain top. Like all trails that wind through the mountain top is not the only beautiful part of the journey. Christ calls us to see that even, and sometimes especially, in the valleys we find the beauty of God’s creation. I’m not just talking about nature but rather creation. A creation that includes the suffering of the world and the brave servants who seek to relieve that suffering. At St. Philip’s this is one of our most inspiring attributes. That we don’t shy away from the valleys of life, or the dark places in the woods. We take our lamps and shine a light for those who have been elsewhere turned away, for those who are hungry, literally and spiritually, for those who are lost, and for those who are looking for the light. St. Philippians are also called to be wise. To be the ones who don’t just bring their lamps, but also the extra oil needed to last the night. As we walk through these valleys, now more than ever, those in the darkness need you to shine your lamps and lead. You have a great love within you that has been placed there by God. It is time to let that love shine to a hurting world, and bring some extra oil. The Rev. Stephen Mazingo Interim Rector