Religious Education
Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door I will come in.
Rev 3:20
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
The Gospel for next Sunday is the parable of the ten bridesmaids. The three gospel accounts from the final three weeks leading up to the season of Advent all come from Chapter 25 of the Gospel of Matthew. The stories follow on from one another and challenge us to live our lives in response to Jesus’ message and to live with hope.
Please click the link below to read the parable:
The gospel parable relates to ten bridesmaids – five foolish and five wise- who are participating in a wedding ritual that involves meeting the bridegroom and escorting him the last part of his way to the wedding reception. The foolish bridesmaids have not brought sufficient reserves of oil for their lamps and have to leave at the critical time to try to obtain more. When they eventually arrive at the reception they are turned away because they have shamed themselves as well as the bride and groom by not fulfilling their duty.
The message of this gospel is captured in Jesus’ final words, ‘So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.’ The timing of Jesus’ coming cannot be predicted and so all Christian believers, like the bridesmaids, need to continue to live with hope and expectation.
Over the last year, the pandemic has presented so many challenges in our lives. It has evoked fear, tested our patience, caused great sadness and anxiety about the uncertain future that lies ahead. This week’s gospel is asking us to look with hope with what lies ahead.
What is it that you might hope for at this time?
What are your hopes for your family?
What are your hopes for the community of St Bede’s?
What are your hopes for the world?
Take care
Bernadette Reed
(Religious Education)