There are more interpretations to this story than there are young women; the one that fits today is being prepared. How often do some of us find ourselves ill-prepared, as did the foolish virgins? Paul’s caution about those falling asleep brings to mind a story that I suspect some college alumni can relate to.
The night before his first final exam, a young freshman, who believed that he always worked best under pressure, finally began to study at 10:00. He was doing well, reviewing his notes and highlighting certain passages in his textbooks. Around 2 in the morning, he fell asleep at his desk. When he woke up, he was stunned to discover that the period for his test was half over.
Grabbing his pen, he ran to class. There he desperately explained to his professor what had happened. Naturally, the teacher wasn’t sympathetic and just said, “Well, do what you can with the time you have.” Needless to say, he flunked the exam.
In this parable, Jesus labeled five virgins as foolish for not being prepared. All ten were prepared for the immediate arrival of the groom but unlike those who were wise, the foolish virgins did not have sufficient oil for their lamps to last through the night. Caught short handed, they left to fetch more oil elsewhere and while they were gone, the groom arrived and the feast began without them.
That the wise virgins refused to share their oil sounds selfish but Jesus was speaking of something that could not be shared. If we think of the oil as good deeds and acts of love, we can see why the wise virgins could not share what they had. While I can borrow a cup of sugar from you, I cannot borrow your good deeds or your relationship with God.
The oil we use to light our lamps comes from living a life of stewardship. Such a life, which Archbishop Sartain calls the heart of our Catholic faith, asks us to share our gifts of time, talent and treasure for the sake of building up the kingdom of God. Yes, the gifts you offer benefit the parish but more importantly, your gifts benefit your relationship with God for they are your response to God’s goodness in your life.
This parable stresses that we are accountable for our good deeds or lack of them. If we keep putting off what really matters, namely, nurturing our relationship with God, Jesus could one day say, “I do not know you.” As the foolish virgins and the college freshman discovered too late, each person has to be prepared to stand in the presence of God, for we know not when that moment comes when we will be taking the ultimate final exam.
What separated the wise from the foolish is that they were prepared for the moment while the foolish virgins were not. Wise followers know the value of prayerfully and generously living each day in response to the goodness of God in their lives. Their lamps are oiled so that they would always be lit. Elsewhere in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus says, “Let your light shine before others so they may see your good works and give glory to God.” One light dispels the darkness but imagine what a difference many lights create.
“God gives it all then calls us to share.” He did not predestine us to be foolish or wise; the choice to share is ours to make. If we want Christ to recognize us, we have to invest in a relationship with him in this lifetime and that is done by giving generously of our time, talent and treasure, thus, being a light to others. Giving minimally is a foolish choice for that is hardly investing in the most important relationship we can have for all eternity.
I now invite Fred McCarthy, the chair of our stewardship commission to share his reflection on the value of stewardship in our lives and the life of our parish community.