Matthew 25,1-13.
This parable, found only in Matthew’s gospel, occurs in the centre of Jesus’ fifth and final discourse, Chs. 24,1-26,1), which is concerned about being prepared for the coming of the kingdom of God and for the final judgement at the end of the world. (Chs. 24-25).
In the parable immediately preceding this one, (Mt 24,45-51), the evil servant, knowing his master will be delayed, proceeds to ill- treat his fellow servants. In this Parable an unexpected delay causes the problems for the foolish virgins.
The delay of the bridegroom is central to the story. One explanation offered for the bridegroom’s delay till midnight is a lengthy and hard bargain about the dowry due to the father of the bride for his daughter. It would be a compliment to her to be so highly prized by her father, and to the groom for his perceptive choice of such a highly cherished bride.
Night-time is used in texts relating to coming of the end -times (Lk, 12,20), and midnight especially, as here, and in (Mk 13,35-36). Midnight was ominous, as indeed was the cry that went up.
In the second part of the story the foolish virgins are mentioned before the wise. Their foolishness is shown in their not bringing extra oil with their lamps in case there should be a delay. The wise do not give a definite refusal but recommend a course of action. They give a prudent reason for not sharing their oil. They cannot take the risk of not being able to do the job – escorting the bridegroom- that they are there to do. “Those who were ready,” escorted the bridegroom to the wedding hall.
The foolish bridesmaids, gone off in search of oil are excluded from the wedding feast. Those who “were ready” went in (V10), in contrast with “the other bridesmaids” (V11), who were unprepared, and who arrived too late for the wedding feast.
The concluding admonition arising from the parable — “So, stay awake” does not fit well with the story since all the bridesmaids fell asleep. An admonition to be “Be prepared” would seem more logical.
The parable emphasises the importance of being prepared for the coming of the kingdom, or the end of the world, when the Lord will come to judge the whole world. He will come for each of us when we die. The wise virgins were wise because they were prepared for the coming of the bridegroom. The oil in their lamps is image for good works. “Let your light shine in the sight of people so that seeing your good works they may give praise to your Father in heaven. (Mt 5,16).
The good works that we shall be judged on are how much we have loved God and our neighbour. How other-centred and how God-centred our life has been rather than how self-centred it was. To be wise is to be able to recognise the things which really matter in life and to give them priority.
In November when the days are short and the year is nearing its end, we are encouraged by the Church to reflect on these as metaphors for the meaning of human life, – the brevity of human life and the finality of death and judgement.
We are reminded in this parable to be wise and to be ready for the bridegroom, Jesus, when he comes, at the end of time, at the end of our lives, so that he will recognise us, know who we are, and admit us to the wedding feast of the kingdom of God. How does the Final Judgement at the end of your life influence your values and the way you live in the present?
Fr Geoff O’Grady