Today begins the feast of Passover. This feast is the annual commemoration of the Israelites salvation. Their passage from the slavery of Egypt into freedom, from exile into the promised land. It is also the anticipation of the ultimate passage - into the Kingdom of God. Christ was the fulfillment of Passover. He performed the ultimate passage: from death into life, from this "old world" into the new world. He opened the possibility of this passage to us.
Scripture for today remembers the Parable of the Ten Virgins from Matthew 25:1-13 (New International Version):
1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' 10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' 12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
As it says, we are called to keep watch and be ready. Not just during this season of Lent and Easter but every day...for we do not know the day or the hour!
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