What I’m Thinking: Ready with Light

I’m struggling to think this week, because I feel so deeply at the news of so many killed during worship at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas. In the story of the bridesmaids and their lamps, Jesus told his followers to be ready: with light.

Here’s a transcript:

I’m not thinking about Sutherland Springs, Texas, today, but I am certainly feeling it. That a man could bring both the will and the means for horrific violence into a church at prayer: Well, that goes deep for me.

I’m trying to think about the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew (Matthew 25:1-13), where ten bridesmaids are getting ready to welcome the groom, and they need to welcome him with light. Five of them brought enough oil; five of them ran out before he arrived.

It’s about being ready: being ready for something that’s wonderful that’s coming, but also, I suppose, about being ready for things that are horrific, as happened in that little church on Sunday.

We are called to be ready: Ready to receive the grace of God, but ready also to respond when evil comes.

We are called to be ready, and I must emphasize this point, we are called to be ready with light. With light. It is brightness that will dispel the darkness. It is not shadows that will do that.

Violence: When we meet it with violence, we get more violence. Light and love: They have the power, in the end, to dispel the night.

That’s what I’m feeling and thinking. I’m curious about what you’re thinking. Leave me your thoughts in the comment section below; I’d love to hear from you.