We have arrived at the last night.
Nine days ago, the disciples stood on the Mount of Olives and watched the cloud receive Him. They were redirected earthward, back to Jerusalem, back to one another, back to the Upper Room and the long, patient work of waiting for what had been promised.
Tonight is the vigil. The last night of watching before the morning that will change everything.
The parable of the ten virgins has been on my mind today. All ten had lamps. All ten intended to be there when the Bridegroom arrived. But five of them had not brought enough oil for a night that turned out to be longer than they expected. And while they were gone to buy more, the door was shut.
The disciples in the Upper Room, by the ninth night of their waiting, had brought enough oil.
Nine days of sustained prayer, one accord in supplication, the patient rebuilding of the Twelve, the reading of the Scriptures, the holding together of a community through every quality of waiting – dry and luminous, difficult and peaceful – had filled the lamps.
They did not know that the Bridegroom was coming in the morning. But they had kept their lamps burning through the night.
And when the morning came, they were found with oil.
Stay awake tonight. The fire is very close now.
Day 9 of 9. The vigil before the fire. Full reflection on the blog.
