Which one am I?

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Gospel: Matthew 25: 1-13

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.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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“The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.”

The parable begins on an equal playing field. There are ten virgins, each with their lamp lit. It takes time before we are able to separate the foolish from the wise.

The separation happens when Jesus reveals that the bridegroom is delayed. As a result, five virgins run out of oil, while five others refill their lamps using extra flasks of oil, which they brought with them.

Five came prepared and five did not.

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What might the Lord be saying to us?

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As Christians, we must carry an extra flask of oil, as it were; we must be ready to endure.

For example, it’s one thing to play peacemaker for a day. It’s another to be a peacemaker year after year, especially when conflicts arise at home, in our marriage, or in our personal relationships.

It’s one thing to be generous with our time or talent for a day. It’s another to live generous lives.

It’s one thing to say a prayer. It’s another to, in Saint Paul’s words, “Pray always.”

It’s one thing to forgive a slight misgiving. It’s another to have an attitude of forgiveness.