Mathew 25:1-13
Last Sunday’s Gospel we find Jesus telling his followers to do and observe all things whatsoever the Pharisees tell them, but do not follow their example! Jesus basically cautions them because the Pharisees preach, but do not practice what they preach.
Today’s Gospel, we are presented with a parable so that Jesus’ message becomes totally clear. The parable equates the kingdom of heaven to a wedding feast and ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of the virgins were foolish and the other five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but neglected to bring oil for the lamps.
The kingdom of heaven like a wedding feast
The “Deus ex Machina” is the delay of the bridegroom in arriving. This made the ten virgins drowsy and they all fell asleep. Finally, at midnight there was a cry: “Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” The foolish virgins without oil for their lamps asked the wise ones to give them some oil because their lamps were going out. The wise ones replied that they couldn’t give them oil because there might not be enough for all ten virgins. They suggested that the foolish ones go to the merchants and buy some oil. While they went to get the oil, the bridegroom came and those who were ready entered the wedding feast with him. The door was then locked. When the foolish virgins came back they asked for the door to be opened. The bridegroom responded: “Amen, I say to you, I do not know you. Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
Christ’s return
Mathew is clear that the timing of Christ’s return is unknown and then he advises us to be ready and be awake because we do not know the day or hour of Christ’s return.
This parable is clear and to the point: The unknown timing of Christ’s return alerts us to the fact that we must be ready for this. The last verse reaffirms Jesus’ message: “Amen, I say to you, I do not know you. Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
These words in boldface by the bridegroom could also point to the possibility of Christ not recognizing those who are not prepared like the foolish virgins and thus denying their entry. The wedding feast is a symbol of the beginning of God’s reign of love, justice and mercy.
To be ready for His coming
Through this parable Jesus gives us hope, and is teaching us to get ready for his second coming. He is also giving us a taste of uncertainty due to the delayed and unknown time of His coming. He is telling us not to behave as fools, be ready by becoming actively involved in our community parish, as members of the Church. We must enrich our hearts with the Sacred Scripture, the sacraments, and the Mass. Especially in the confessional; through penance one will cleanse his or her heart and soul. One must be attentive and ready when the Bridegroom comes to the wedding feast, on His second coming.
Luis M. Quesada, Ph.D. Professor of Spanish Literature, Miami