When the war on terrorism was thrust suddenly into America’s lap a little over a year ago, our president warned that we should be prepared for it to go on for a long time. He purposely lowered expectations that the conflict would be anything like the Gulf War, where the main military action lasted only a few days and quickly accomplished its objectives.
What Mr. Bush said made perfect sense. Terrorists hide themselves and blend in with innocent populations. Rooting them out is never easy or fast. So Mr. Bush asked for our patience and our perseverance in pursuing this goal. We saw some things happen fairly quickly, but it is unlikely we will see anything like a conclusion for a long time.
While few of us disagree with that assessment, it does not satisfy the natural human desire to do something decisive and final right now. But it isn’t that simple. And so we have little choice but to adjust ourselves to the reality of a long struggle.
The parable
The theme of preparing for a long haul is also present in this parable before us. Ostensibly, it’s about a wedding, though the customs are different from weddings today. Part of the ceremony took place after dark, where the bridegroom arrived separately from the bride. When his arrival was announced, a bevy of bridesmaids went forward with oil lamps to meet him. And then, surrounding him with light, they escorted him to the wedding house, where he joined the bride, and the wedding banquet began.
In the particular wedding in this parable, the groom keeps everybody waiting ― so long, that the bridesmaids fall asleep. They easily awaken when the lookout announces the groom is coming, but the oil in the lamps is running out. Five
