Wise or Foolish

Wise or Foolish
Pentecost 24; Matthew 25:1-13
Ten bridesmaids await the groom.
Those with lanterns still alight
follow to the feasting room;
five have gone off out of sight.

Those with spare oil would not share,
fearing none would have enough –
wise perhaps, but lacking care?
Foolish ones must do it tough.

Though they seek a dealer out
to replenish their supplies,
still they’re left to do without,
doors are shut, a cruel surprise.

Just a cautionary tale –
followers of Christ must wait,
letting no commitment fail –
yet it stirs in me a state

of resistance, talking back:
“What is foolish? What is wise?
Surely they supplied their lack?
Who would then deny their cries?

Is this unforgiving Lord
one that I can’t recognize?
Are we meant to guard our hoard,
not to share with those unwise?

I who frequently forget,
am I one without spare oil?
What if lamps go out, and yet
failure’s overcome with toil?

Seems to me the loving Lord
would not shut the foolish out,
nor deny them with a word,
but would welcome those without.

Still it’s true we have to wait,
and our light can start to dim.
When I’m in that burnt out state,
best to stay and wait for him.

To me, Jesus never said:
“You have failed to bring supplies!”
Giving me the wine and bread
fills the lack in what is wise.

Had they stayed till he was there,
said, “Forgive our loss of light,”
those deemed wise might learn to share
and the foolish turn out bright.
	Barbara Messner 4 November 2020