The parable of the ten virgins is a bit confusing. The foolish virgins could have also gone to the wedding with their little oil! Where would they purchase oil when the markets are closed at midnight? Sadly, the wise virgins are so selfish that they refuse to share the oil they possess, which is very un-Christian!
In reflecting on this parable, Father Fernando Armellini SCJ argues that the call to stay awake is also confusing: even the wise virgins slept and were not vigilant. The groom behaves strangely, as he is late to arrive, but then slams the doors on a few guests who, in fact, have been waiting for him for a long time.
The number five and the image of virgins represent the people of Israel. Number ten indicates the totality. The ten virgins represent the people of Israel awaiting the Messiah. Among these virgins, only a few – the five wise virgins – are willing to accept and enter the Christian community, while the five foolish virgins do not pay attention to God’s plans.
However, fifty years after the time of Jesus, when Matthew wrote his Gospel, the problems faced by his community were different. Matthew, therefore, adapted the parable to meet his communities’ catechetical needs. The early Christian communities expected an imminent second coming of Jesus. Despite the passage of many decades, nothing has changed. Over time, they lose patience and return to their previous lifestyles and behaviors.
Here, the ten virgins indicate the Christian community that awaits the second coming of Jesus. Matthew had already developed the concept of co-existence between good and bad: the wheat and the weeds grow together, the good fish and the bad are caught in the same net, the pure and the unclean sit at the same table, and thus, the wise and the foolish are side by side.
The wise virgins, who refused to share their oil with their companions, convey a valuable message. Your faith and preparation can never be substituted by anyone else. The closing of the door indicates the end of every opportunity to accept Jesus. It is urgent to discern how to use life well.
In every moment, Jesus wants to find us serving our brothers and sisters. The lamp of hope, love, and justice should always burn brightly in our rooms – in our lives, for the poor and the stranger seeking assistance.
Father Josekutty Mathew CMF
Claretian Publications
bibleclaret.org
