The Ten Virgins

[penntar]

In the parable of ‘the ten virgins’, how did the lamps and the oil make the five ready? They all went out to meet the Bridegroom but the ‘not prepared’ virgins lost out, why? Why couldn’t the wise five share what they had? What does this mean?

 

[radhika]

penntar:

In the parable of ‘the ten virgins’, how did the lamps and the oil make the five ready? They all went out to meet the Bridegroom but the ‘not prepared’ virgins lost out, why? Why couldn’t the wise five share what they had? What does this mean?

The parable is a metaphore for those who are spiritually prepared, who have followed the precepts of the church who lead a good life, in contradiction to those who are not…obviously it is not possible to share these things. each of us have to work for our salvation. I hope this is a right interpretation-

 

[Petergee]

I think basically it is saying that those to whom God gives the Faith and the grace of sanctification (i.e. the oil) can’t pass it on to somebody else. Those who have it are only given enough for themselves. We can and must tell others, especially our children, about the Faith, (i.e. light their lamps) and try to encourage the practice of the Faith by word and example, but we can’t do it for them. That’s what’s so wrong about the Fundamentalist Evangelical idea that you only have to believe and accept Christ as your Saviour once in your lifeto be automatically “saved” regardless of what you do in the rest of your life. As St Paul told us “He who endures to the end will be saved.” And if our light is to endure to the end, we need our own oil.

 

[penntar]

Thank you!

 

[BayCityRickL]

Matthew CHAPTER 25 (NAB)

The Parable of the Ten Virgins.
25:1 * "Then* the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
25:2 * Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
25:3 The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them,
25:4 but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
25:5 Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
25:6 At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
25:7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
25:8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
25:9 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.’
25:10 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.
25:11 * Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’
25:12 But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’
25:13 Therefore, stay awake, * for you know neither the day nor the hour.

The parable seems to have a straightforward message about not being foolish, but being wise and waiting for the LORD.The foolish virgins not only did not have oil, but they weren’t there waiting for the bridegroom when he arrived. It seems to be a very sobering lesson.