Mark 6 ^1-11
Psalm 107
Mathew 25 ^1-7

"Be Prepared" is the Motto of the Guiding and Scouting Movement that I learned to repeat as a child.  In the story from Matthew that I read today we heard about ten bridesmaids that were asked to be prepared to meet the groom and bring him to the wedding feast.  Five of them were prepared with extra oil for their lamps, but five were not prepared and their lamps burned out.  At the critical time of the groom's arrival, they were down at the store buying more oil and missed out on the feast as the door was closed to them.  This story brought many things to mind as I prepared to speak about it today.  I was amazed they had stores open 24 hours a day in those times, just as our 7-11 stores boast of today!  And why did the five bridesmaids not share their oil as God asked us to do in his commandment to love our neighbour as ourselves?  Something I had to ponder for a while.

June was a very busy month for me, and I kept being asked at work, "Have you packed yet?" - mostly by my colleague who was leaving for England the day after I was.  It seemed that she had packed and repacked for the whole month, but her daughter (who was enjoying graduation ceremonies and end of the year parties) was just about in the same state I was, an open suitcase that I moved off the bed every night so that I could go to sleep.  My mind was not  on packing but with my sister in the hospital, preparing to meet the Lord as she laying there dying of cancer.  I kept thinking was she prepared for where she was going, and what was she going to see?  She had a strong Christian faith, and we talked about  her walking in the garden with her saviour.  I remember attending her church, and the minister telling us the joke about old Charlie - a wonderful husband of a devout Christian woman named Anne.  He thought it was not necessary to attend church with his wife. She had enough faith for both of them, and besides Charlie liked to reserve Sunday for fishing.  So as Anne was getting ready for church she invited Charlie to join her.  She said that the vicar would be talking about  something good today, and he should come.  But Charlie declined again and said “say a prayer for me darlin” as he loaded his fishing tackle into his boat and drove up to Loch Ness.  He put his boat into the lake and started rowing toward his favorite fishing hole and all of a sudden his boat flew into the air on the head of Nessie the Loch Ness monster.  He peered over the side of the boat into the open jaws of the monster, and realizing that he was about to become her breakfast, boat and all, he called out “Oh God! help me!”

The picture then freezes and God’s voice booms out, but Charlie “ I didn’t think you believed in me?”  Charlie answered “ Give me a break God, I didn’t believe in the Loch Ness Monster until just a minute ago either!”   The minister then said don’t be a “Charlie” and wait until the last minute, there is much to be gained be living your life in Christ.  I knew from the contented look on my sister’s face that her walk with God had not only helped her face her life, but now it was helping her face her death.  As I watched her life come to an end in June, and I sang hymns that we had learned together in Sunday School, her breathing became soft and calm.  I could sense that she would soon have her voice in Heaven’s choir.  At her Celebration of Life, when I read the passage from John “ In my house I have many rooms and I am going to prepare one for you.”  I knew the promise had been fulfilled and she had been prepared.

But as for me, I was leaving for England in only five more days, and I still had to get my suitcase packed and fast!  I wanted to bring my paperback Upper Room for my daily devotions, but as I discovered it hadn’t reached the church before I left on June 25th.  So, into the case went my hard cover bible. I was restricted to 20 kg in checked luggage and 6 kg in carry on luggage, with no sharp objects that could be considered weapons.  How could I be prepared for 22 days away with restrictions like that?  I reread my Fodor’s guidebook on  travel in Great Britain, specifically “The Isle of Skye.”  It recommended waterproof clothing and dressing in layers, as this area had very changeable weather conditions even in the summer months.  So my “being prepared” cost me $30.00 at the Vancouver airport for overweight luggage.  I discovered that sometimes being prepared comes with a cost!  Then I turned my attention to the passage in Mark, where Jesus sent out his disciples and told them to take nothing with them but  a walking stick. Where ever they were welcomed, they were to stay there until they left that place.  So much for “being prepared!”  As I read in Matthew, this must be the lesson where we make the leap of faith that I’ve heard so much about.  It was too late to leave my extras at home, as I was already in England with many other travelers.

I had a five hour wait in Gatwick airport before I flew up to Newcastle in Northeast England.  I witnessed many others who had prepared well for their journey, as they juggled suitcases, baby strollers, and children - some crying from lack of sleep.  I knew just how they felt, as I had flown through the night with little sleep and because of the time change was into another day.  I didn’t see anyone with only a walking stick (perhaps airport security removed it from them).  I did however see many people who were loving their neighbour as themselves.  An older couple who watched a sleeping infant while a harried, sleep deprived mother took an older child into the bathroom when she announced “I have to go, RIGHT NOW!”    A woman that gave a child the extra 10 pence that he needed when the cost of his drink was more than he had in his hand.  All the while, we were warned by the invisible voice “not to leave any bags unattended for any reason, or they will be removed and immediately  destroyed.”  Things sure had changed since terrorism has reared it’s ugly head, but people were still there for others, and I was relieved that hadn’t changed.

When I reached Newcastle. my friends brother was at the airport to pick us up and take us to his mother's home, where we were welcomed into a room with a freshly made soft bed, a cup of tea, food,  and a shower or bath.  What hospitality I was given - and it continued throughout the rest of my visit.  When I visited the local parish church of St. Peter, Harton, I had intended to come for prayers and then the 10:00 o’clock service.  But I misread the time, and arrived for 9:00 instead of 9:15 am.  I was welcomed in and ushered into the back kitchen for a cup of tea and a piece of bread and jam.  At the appointed time, I was taken into the chapel where prayers took place, and I was guided through the readings by “John” who said it was lovely to have a Canadian visitor join their small group for morning prayers.  As we were finishing our prayers, the church was filling with members for the 10:00 am service, where Margaret & Nancy took over caring for the Canadian traveler.  I was made to feel very welcome, and part of the family of God.  I was invited to come back as often as I could during my stay in South Shields.  I attended Prayers for Healing and Peace in Yorkminster when we visited the city of York.  The “fee” of 3 pound 50 pence for tourists was waived as I was going in to worship.  The welcome continued at the Marsden Road Baptist Church.  I was asked if I wanted to read the Scriptures for them that day, and as Muriel will confirm, this was something I declined.  I understood first hand why Jesus told his disciples they would find hospitality and be welcomed in the places and by the people they would find when they traveled.  The Faith that I would be taken care of as one of God’s people had  been substantiated.

So why is it necessary to be prepared as in the reading in Matthew.  Why can’t the bridesmaids share their oil with the others?  The reading became clear and I believe the message in this story is: on earth others will help us but  the time comes for us to meet our maker, we will be alone and face to face with the Almighty.  That is why we must be prepared.

Are you like Charlie, hoping to ride into heaven on the coat tails of your devout Christian partner, or are you an observer who intellectually sees and knows what Christianity is all about, but perhaps not ready to take the next step?   Have you taken the time to join the church, and feel your membership in The United Church of Canada is enough to guarantee you a place in heaven?  Or have you chosen to be a disciple and truly follow the path of Jesus Christ?  There is a cost, and it certainly isn’t an easy path, but the leap of faith you make is matched by our Creator.    Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.   Are you truly prepared?