The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Today's Reflections 

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

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Mt 25:1-13

[Jesus said to his disciples,] ¹“The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ²Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, ⁴but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. ⁵Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. ⁶At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ ⁷Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ ¹⁰While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. ¹¹Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ ¹²But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ ¹³Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Reflection:

The wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. The five foolish virgins or bridesmaids should not be content with bringing what is enough only for them. They should be better equipped, so that when something happens, they will all be dependable. They will not need to burden others with asking for extra oil.

In contrast, the wise virgins do the right thing. They come prepared, even for emergency, and so are able to discharge the responsibility given to them.

The parable tells us that we are called to be efficient providers—we must be ready when the need arises. We have to give when asked to give. We can share when someone is in need. We can lead when others are lost.