Thursday, February 4, 2016

Today’s Reading  |  Matthew 25:1–13
“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.” (NRSV)

Reflection
A Nova broadcast pointed out that if scientists are able to confirm that the “God particle” does exist, then there have to be more dimensions than just the three we are accustomed to dealing with. In fact, it is possible that there are up to eleven dimensions existing right now. Another dimension could be just a millimeter away from our face and we are simply not able to perceive it.

In Matthew 25, Jesus already sees beyond the ordinary and finds another dimension. Jesus sees heaven bursting in, through and out of everyday life. For Jesus, the kingdom of heaven is so close to us, and yet we do not perceive or accept it, and he is trying to open our eyes so we can experience it and live into it even now. He urges us to be prepared, to anticipate experiencing heaven; he urges us to take a risk and use our gifts fully. He even asserts that as you treat the least is how you treat him.

But in these claims is the assumption that heaven and God can be found within each of us if we can only see and acknowledge this. A sunrise, embracing a loved one, or a concert—each may seem ordinary or life changing. It is up to us to be open, find the dimension only be a millimeter away, and realize more fully what we see in front of us.

Prayer
“Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me; place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.” Amen.
(Prayer text by Clara Scott)

Written by John W. W. Sherer, Organist and Director of Music

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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