In today’s Gospel, we are given one directive: be ready. We are all living alongside each other in the world. We have our families, our friends, and our work associations among other groups of people with whom we spend time, but that does not mean we are all the same. We are not all living the same interior lives. The ten virgins in the parable all lived alongside each other, but only half were prepared to meet the bridegroom. And let us not be mistaken; the bridegroom is Jesus.
The ten virgins wander out into the dark to wait, and yet some of them don’t remember to bring extra flasks of oil with them. Not knowing how long they would wait or when the time would come for the bridegroom to appear, they should have assessed the situation before they went out. They even got drowsy and fell asleep in their waiting, even those who didn’t bring extra oil for their lamps. Many people live this way, moment to moment, without a thought of preparation for things to come. They get along in life, asking those who are prepared to share their stores.
This reminds me of the old cartoon based on Aesop’s Fable about the ants and the grasshopper, where the ants work all summer long building up their stores, while the grasshopper lies back and enjoys itself until winter comes and is unprepared. Then, the suffering begins. It is a deadly way to live, and in the Gospel reading today, Jesus isn’t talking about surviving the night or the winter. He is alluding to everlasting life.
Half of the virgins were sent to go off to buy more oil for their lamps at midnight. It’s the darkest hour, and they have to go in search of oil while those who prepared are called into the feast. Where will they find a vendor to buy oil from at midnight? Did they knock on doors that weren’t answered only to delay them further? Their inability to plan pushed them even further from the banquet, but the time had already passed. The door was locked right away after those whose lamps were still lit entered the feast. There was no more time for preparation. Their chance had passed.
Jesus warns us, “For you know neither the day nor the hour.” We must prepare now during our earthly lives through prayer, receiving the Sacraments, and spending our time carrying forth the teachings of Jesus. For when our last breath passes out of us and our lamplight goes out, the time for preparation will have passed.
Anita L Renaghan, Diocesan Publications