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Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
—Matthew 25:1-13 (English Standard Version)
Here we are, deep into Advent, and we read again a gospel passage on watchfulness and waiting, two fundamental postures of this holy season. But a closer examination of the parable reveals to me another posture; in this parable it is not just watchfulness or waiting that is being enjoined; it is also preparedness in the face of delay and uncertainty. For me, the issue here is responsible behavior in the meantime. As the parable has it, the delay in the bridegroom’s arrival created a crisis for some of the maidens, and it proved some wise and some foolish. It is not the coming of the bridegroom that makes them so; it merely reveals them so.
Gospel parables are basically of two types: those that offer a surprise of grace at the end, and those that follow a direct course from cause to effect. This parable is the latter type. Certainly, its core message is to be prepared, as the timing of the bridegroom’s arrival is unknown. But there is more, for Advent, like Lent, is a penitential season. As such, it is a time to actively prepare spiritually by praying, reading scripture, and living in a way that is ready to meet Christ at any moment. Let me suggest that we are wise in our preparations: if we pray on a regular basis; if we educate ourselves in faith; if we perform the spiritual works of mercy; if we become people of love. We are foolish in our preparations if we neglect these things. In a very real sense, this parable invites us this Advent to incarnate God’s love. This is the love that has already appeared, and whose advent we await again.
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