Jesus tells the parable of the 10 virgins today, five of whom were wise and five were foolish. What happened? The smart ones brought extra oil for their lamps so when the bridegroom was delayed in returning their lamps had enough fuel still.
Not so the foolish ones. When the bridegroom came the foolish virgins had no oil for their lamps. Interestingly enough all virgins fell asleep waiting the return of the bridegroom, but only the wise ones had enough oil to keep the lamp burning. The foolish ones ask to borrow some oil but were denied. It reminds us that there is a personal work for each one of us, and no one is exempted from this vital task. Someone else cannot do it for you and you cannot “borrow” sanctity or holiness from others.
One question that comes to mind is what does the oil represent? One understanding is that it represents our life of prayer. This is something that no one can “do” for you. Others can encourage us and help us, but at the end it is a personal call. Prayer is a way to store up oil. When the challenges come we can be ready. You are what you eat so how much stronger one will be spiritually if what they are eating is the Word of God. Before challenges come we need to prepare ourselves.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola even gave the advice that in moments of consolation to prepare for desolation that will surely come. It is not an invite to become pessimistic but rather to enjoy the present moment but not to be naive.
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta also spoke about this parable and explained it thus: “What are the oil lamps in our lives? They are the little everyday things: faithfulness, punctuality, kind words, thoughtfulness of another person, the way we are silent at times, the way we look at things, the way we speak, the way we act. Those are the little drops of love which make it possible for our life of faith to shine brightly.” Two people can be working in the same office but one can be loving – working hard, not spending all her office hours on YouTube and genuinely trying to help the colleagues. Another can be gossiping, flirting and generally causing havoc. Only the former is loving. I read some graffiti on a wall in Rome and it said, “Non complicare la vita. Se non sei contento, prova amare.” That means, “Don’t complicate life. If you are not happy, try loving.” Well it’s worth a try.
The first reading today is from the book of Wisdom and perhaps describes the wisdom of the wise virgins of the gospel today: “Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of men’s desire; he who watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate. For taking thought of her is the perfection of prudence, and he who for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care; Because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude” (Wisdom 6,12-16).
Once a missionary was sharing about the gospel and he asked a very interesting question. He asked us how many different characters are there in the gospel of today. We said the five wise virgins, the five foolish ones and the bridegroom as well as the merchants to buy oil from and Jesus with his disciples. But there was one other character we did not spot. Who was it? The voice crying out at midnight! What does the voice cry out? “Behold the Bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” Every Christian in some way or another is called to be this voice. To call out at midnight, a time when others are drowsy or sleeping, a time of darkness when things are not clear. This is the prophetic task of the Church too, to be a watchman or watchwoman. We should not fall asleep in this task.
Let us pray and stay awake. May we fill our lamps with the oil of prayer and good deeds like the wise virgins. And may we always shoulder our prophetic task ready to announce the call to action to our brothers and sisters. Amen.
