Oil in our lampstands

[ncjohn]

Today’s gospel readings is another of those that I have a very hard time reconciling with other things that Jesus says, and other similar parables. It is the parable of the Virgins and the lampstands.

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry,
‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise,
‘Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.’
But 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.’
While 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.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said,
‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’
But he said in reply,

‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’
Therefore, stay awake,
for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Maybe it’s just me, but the inconsistencies between this and other parables, and Jesus’s general message, really stand out here. All of the virgins are obviously concerned for doing the right thing. The “foolish” ones clearly made a judgment error in not providing for the contingency of the bridegroom being late, but were still eager to be present when he came.

I find two major problems in this. First, it seems like the “wise” virgins were somewhat uncharitable in being unwilling to share their oil–think “when I was out of oil you shared yours”–though certainly they were under no obligation to do so.

The bigger concern is that those who were trying to be present are then cast out even though they were making their best efforts. This to me seems very inconsistent both with the parable of the sheep and goats, which comes just a few verses later, and with parables such as the harvest workers–where those who only worked at the last hour were still rewarded equally with those who were there all along–or the wedding feast guests, where people are dragged in from all over to fill up the banquet.

Am I the only one who experiences difficulty with this passage? Does anyone have good sources that explain the seeming inconsistencies, since they obviously can’t be inconsistent?

Peace,

 

[LilyM]

Today’s gospel readings is another of those that I have a very hard time reconciling with other things that Jesus says, and other similar parables. It is the parable of the Virgins and the lampstands.

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry,
‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise,
‘Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.’
But 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.’
While 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.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said,
‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’
But he said in reply,

‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’
Therefore, stay awake,
for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Maybe it’s just me, but the inconsistencies between this and other parables, and Jesus’s general message, really stand out here. All of the virgins are obviously concerned for doing the right thing. The “foolish” ones clearly made a judgment error in not providing for the contingency of the bridegroom being late, but were still eager to be present when he came.

I find two major problems in this. First, it seems like the “wise” virgins were somewhat uncharitable in being unwilling to share their oil–think “when I was out of oil you shared yours”–though certainly they were under no obligation to do so.

The bigger concern is that those who were trying to be present are then cast out even though they were making their best efforts. This to me seems very inconsistent both with the parable of the sheep and goats, which comes just a few verses later, and with parables such as the harvest workers–where those who only worked at the last hour were still rewarded equally with those who were there all along–or the wedding feast guests, where people are dragged in from all over to fill up the banquet.

Am I the only one who experiences difficulty with this passage? Does anyone have good sources that explain the seeming inconsistencies, since they obviously can’t be inconsistent?

Peace,

The idea is that the foolish virgins WEREN’T actually making their best efforts at all. They brought the lamps but no fuel for them - they only did half their job, unlike the wise virgins. They were lacking in any sort of thought for the future, and in their attention to their task.

As the wise ones pointed out, if they had shared no-one would have had enough. All would’ve been unable to do their job. So with us - our first obligation is to God, and this means that on some occasions the feelings and even the needs of our fellows must be put second.

As a result of their lack of forethought, the foolish bridesmaids were caught out when the time came to actually do their job. Remember their job wasn’t merely to wait - their job was to attend the bridegroom, which they couldn’t do as a result of their thoughtlessness.

The labourers DID their work, albeit only for an hour for some of them, and it was for the employer to pay them as he saw fit. But these bridesmaids wasted their time and and ended up not doing anything at all.

 

[jrabs]

Nice job Lily. That also how it has been explained to me.

 

[LilyM]

Nice job Lily. That also how it has been explained to me.

Much easier to explain than to put into practice

Of course it’s a struggle for all of us, which is why Our Lord in His wisdom gave us that parable in the first place.

 

[Genesis315]

If there is no grace in your soul (oil in your lamp), you’d better remedy that fact as soon as possible, because Jesus returns like a thief in the night and if you’re caught unprepared, there’s no second chance.

 

[ncjohn]

I guess the problem I have with those explanations is this. To be cast out would imply “mortal sin”. Mortal sin requires consent and intention to separate one’s self. Unless I’m just missing something here, that just isn’t present. While the actions of the “foolish” virgins might have been somewhat negligent, there is no intentionality.

In my mind it’s almost comparable to your wife asking for a divorce because you forgot to put the cap back on the toothpaste. Neither the “grave matter” nor the “consent” is present here as best I can tell.

If we’re really going to be banished to hell for an oversight I may as well give up now.

 

[Genesis315]

I guess the problem I have with those explanations is this. To be cast out would imply “mortal sin”. Mortal sin requires consent and intention to separate one’s self. Unless I’m just missing something here, that just isn’t present. While the actions of the “foolish” virgins might have been somewhat negligent, there is no intentionality.

We’re born in a state lacking sanctifying grace. Even if we commit no mortal sins, if we are simply too careless to seek Christ and the waters of Baptism, or if we put it off for some negligent reason, we will not be saved.

 

[Genesis315]

This is the problem, negligence in matters of faith is essentially a mortal sin. That’s why Jesus vomits out the lukewarm.

 

[Sr_Sally]

But I think there is intentionality and even grave matter. The job was to attend to the groom–to light his way to the house. The parable presumes that the job description was given out ahead of time–the foolish virgins knew enough to bring lamps at all–so a little foresight on their part would tell them to bring oil as well. So rather than putting to cap back on the toothpaste, I would think the analogy would be to something like leaving a child behind at the store. You knew to bring them with you, so you should have known to bring them back!

Anyway, I don’t think all Jesus’ parables were teaching exactly the same lesson. He teaches both those who lean to the too soft side (the foolish vrigins) as well as those who lean to the too harsh side (the workers in the vineyard). In other words, some people will say anyone can get into the Kingdom–just show up, don’t worry about the oil! And others will say if you aren’t there at dawn working, you’ll never get in. God instead is at the perfect medium of justice and mercy. A place we humans have a very hard time of finding let alone staying there!

 

[InLight247]

I guess the problem I have with those explanations is this. To be cast out would imply “mortal sin”. Mortal sin requires consent and intention to separate one’s self. Unless I’m just missing something here, that just isn’t present. While the actions of the “foolish” virgins might have been somewhat negligent, there is no intentionality.

The way I understand this parable is to prepare ourselves and get ready at any moment. The neglect of the foolish virgins can be explained as the neglect of faithfully following Christ.

If we are not following the commands, not building a right relationship with Jesus, not doing the good work as we are supposed to, not striving for holiness as expected, not receiving Sacraments as the Church teaches, we are, in a sense, neglecting putting oil in our lamps.

The kingdom is obtained with force. It is a narrow gate to enter. I think that may be the reason Jesus uses the parable of foolish virgins to alert us. Since no one knows the moment he is summoned into the next life, we ought to fix our hearts on the Lord, faithfully prepare ourselves every day. Otherwise, one could be out of grace just like the foolish virgins run out of oil when the Groom suddenly appears

Mother Teresa’s letter expressed a deep dark night of the soul. Even she could not feel the presence of God, she never stopped to fill her oil and let her lamp shine the light of Christ for the entire world to see.

 

[StephenB]

Today’s gospel readings is another of those that I have a very hard time reconciling with other things that Jesus says, and other similar parables. It is the parable of the Virgins and the lampstands.

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry,
‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise,
‘Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.’
But 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.’
While 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.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said,
‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’
But he said in reply,

‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’
Therefore, stay awake,
for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Maybe it’s just me, but the inconsistencies between this and other parables, and Jesus’s general message, really stand out here. All of the virgins are obviously concerned for doing the right thing. The “foolish” ones clearly made a judgment error in not providing for the contingency of the bridegroom being late, but were still eager to be present when he came.

I find two major problems in this. First, it seems like the “wise” virgins were somewhat uncharitable in being unwilling to share their oil–think “when I was out of oil you shared yours”–though certainly they were under no obligation to do so.

The bigger concern is that those who were trying to be present are then cast out even though they were making their best efforts. This to me seems very inconsistent both with the parable of the sheep and goats, which comes just a few verses later, and with parables such as the harvest workers–where those who only worked at the last hour were still rewarded equally with those who were there all along–or the wedding feast guests, where people are dragged in from all over to fill up the banquet.

Am I the only one who experiences difficulty with this passage? Does anyone have good sources that explain the seeming inconsistencies, since they obviously can’t be inconsistent?

Peace,

I don’t know very much, but I’ll take a stab at this -
The end of the Gospel: Stay awake therefore, for you know not the hour… This I beleive refers to constancy and avoiding the sin of presumption, that there will always be time to make things right.

The lack of charity on the part of the wise virgins could not be further from the truth. All us are called to be charitable, BUT not at the expense of our well being - Can I truly love my neighbor when I don’t love myself? Are we called anywhere in the Gospel to sacrifice our family’s well-being to care for others, beyond our ability? (Then we could all be martyrs~~but the church doesn’t call us to that either.)
There was some reference to the Laborers in one of the responses, and I guess the tie-in is the charity issue - wise virgins “uncharitable”, landowner very charitable in giving wages - different analogies- This is a story of God’s unbounded mercy…

Anyway - In reading scripture, rather than searching for incongruences, it may be more fruitful to ponder the mystery of God’s grace behind each story/parable - that is ultimately the point our Lord is making. (and remember, He’s speaking to a bunch of people who know and understand the analogies He is making…that’s why He uses bread, sheep, salt, etc so much.

Anyway , my two cents worth, but I don’t know much so take it for what it is worth.

Peace, back at you

 

[InLight247]

… it seems like the “wise” virgins were somewhat uncharitable in being unwilling to share their oil–think “when I was out of oil you shared yours”–though certainly they were under no obligation to do so.

To continue from my previous reply…
If we don’t take the “oil” literally as oil, if we refer the “oil” as our own deeds, works, relationship and path of following Christ, and the grace received as well as applied on the journey, then there really is no way this oil could be shared at the end.

During the journey, others may have been benefited from our oil - the light we let out, the good deeds we performed, the prayers we said. But at the end of life, each has to give his own account to the Lord . No one can use borrowed merits to give his account.

The wise virgins refused to lend not only because they need the whole amount for themselves, it could be also because the oil is not lendable in the first place.

 

[baltobetsy]

ncjohn, when you referred to this

or the wedding feast guests, where people are dragged in from all over to fill up the banquet.

you may have forgotten what happens at the end of this story - one of the newly invited guests appears without the proper wedding garment and is tossed out into the darkness to wail and gnash his teeth. The foolish virgins are not the only ones left out of the wedding. So we have another reminder of the need to arrive fully prepared.

Betsy