12 Nov SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2023
As a person who never likes to run out of what I deem “essential” and who tends to buy multiple boxes, cans, or jars of frequently used items, it’s hard for me to relate to the five foolish virgins who don’t bring extra oil for their lamps. In fact, additional oil was not really considered extra, it was essential for lamps designed for outdoor use since each large torch was fueled by rags soaked in oil. For the light in the lamp to last hours, containers of extra oil had to be carried along.
To be entirely useful, having more oil on hand for the lamp was a must. Remembering the lamp, but forgetting extra oil makes it seem like the five foolish virgins were only excited about one part of their task: meeting the bridegroom. But they failed to account for every aspect of their job: to provide light for hours until the bridegroom came and for a length of time after that which included a formal procession to the bride’s home, the frequent site of weddings.
Surely, it’s not hard for us to remember a time of great excitement, busyness, or of having a scattered brain when we too, failed to take along an important essential item. Remember when forgetting the thing you needed created that “Uh-oh, what am I going to do now,” moment?
During my first ever cruise, I soon realized that I’d forgotten two such needed things so I went to the ship store and literally paid the price for my negligence. With little to no choice available, I was forced to buy a small bottle of Ban Roll-0n which in those days would have cost a dollar at the drugstore but sold for $5 at the ship store and a $25 pair of vinyl slip-on shoes that would have cost five bucks at Walmart.
I’m thinking you can relate to forgetting an essential item, once or twice, too. And when you did it probably caused at least a small problem, a temporary delay, an unexpected purchase, having to do without, or having to ask someone else if they’ve any extra to spare.
On occasion, we all find ourselves lacking something needed. We run out of spare things ourselves or fail to plan adequately or something comes up unexpectedly and we find ourselves at a loss to provide for our needs or our children’s. It may not happen often and maybe only once or twice, but at some point, we’re going to have to admit to not being totally prepared.
The older we get, the more we learn that forgetting certain things creates a bigger deal than forgetting other things we can do without. When the stakes are high, we must think ahead. There is too much risk making do with whatever’s available or thinking whatever happens, happens. The ten virgins were entrusted with the safety of the entire wedding party, all of whom were traveling by night. Without oil in addition to the amount already in the lamp, there wouldn’t be enough light for them to travel safely. Knowing they were to serve an important purpose for a number of people during the start of a very special occasion didn’t seem to phase them.
It was as if they forgot to read their job description. They didn’t just overlook a small aspect of their role, they showed up without oil for the lamp. It’s dark out – really dark – and who knows what time the bridegroom will come and their services will finally be needed? Jesus makes it hard to defend the five who fail when they don’t fulfill the most basic requirement: provide light as needed when needed.
Being foolish is seen as contemptible, which means inexcusable and pitiful. The bridesmaids get no credit whatsoever for just showing up or for hoping that what they’ve done is enough. Are you starting to see why they’re not welcomed at the wedding banquet?
It was too late. No one cares that they have oil now and can light the way. Regardless of whether those bridesmaids once showed great enthusiasm, they totally lacked reasoning. They missed the point completely and proved that they never took their role seriously or thought through all that was at stake.
That’s not me. On average, Steve and I walk Sophie 2-3 miles at a time. I have a special waist pouch I wear to carry things along: my keys and phone, money for the homeless, a water bottle, snacks, small toys for children, tissues, hand sanitizer, mints, and mace. Rarely will I leave home without it because the few times I have, I’ve gotten thirsty, had to blow my nose, wanted to sanitize my hands, or wished I had something to hand out or eat.
It’s not like me to leave the house carefree like the foolish virgins. I’m cursed to the other extreme, yet the virtue of being simple, walking hands-free, swinging my arms without thoughts of anything but living in the moment, happy to just be outside isn’t lost on me. Surely, I’d have been a bridesmaid virgin with oil to spare.
Or perhaps, I would have fallen behind after the other virgins wouldn’t have waited for me since I’d be hauling extra jugs so heavy I couldn’t travel far. When my daughter and boyfriend were about to hop in my car so we could travel together to a restaurant, she pointed out similarities between her and I with regard to having all the stuff you could ever need handy. There were boxes and bags to move before anyone could sit on the seat in back. Good thing, for a change, the trunk had space.
Part of the lesson of today’s parable is this: It’s important to know our purpose, to understand the weight of tasks we’re asked to perform and to prepare in advance to fulfill our duties. But on the other hand, don’t we all know and love people who get swept up with excitement, who don’t think ahead, and are just happy to go along?
C’mon, Jesus. They’re not bad. In fact they can be quite delightful. They often make good company because they’re fun loving and humorous. They just shouldn’t be put in charge of planning, organizing or arranging things. 😉
At least, the five foolish virgins had money to go and buy more oil. Why aren’t they put in the same category as the Johnny come latelies hired at the end of the day to work in the master’s vineyard who receive the same reward as the ambitious ones who show up bright and early? I can only think that Jesus means to make this impression.
Imagine if half of every group of people, that is five out of ten, failed to contribute or perform an essential critical task. The world would become madness and pure chaos. The bottom line is, Jesus expects his followers to be responsible.
Besides, the number ten, symbolizes wholeness. It means that Jesus holds everyone accountable. He communicates that there’s a need for quality control in the kingdom of heaven because maintaining certain standards is necessary for every aspect of life.
So, here’s today’s question. What’s the most important task that awaits you? The word translated in today’s gospel reading as foolish literally means thoughtless. Surely, you wouldn’t be here or listening online if that pertained to you. Or perhaps you’re just here, but aren’t really listening, engaged or thinking.
Being thoughtless makes one foolish. But it’s okay to mess up, to not be able to multitask all the time or remember all that you should. Jesus understands that people don’t always do the right thing and that life on earth won’t necessarily run on schedule. Sometimes people need to fail to learn how to do better next time, if there is a next time.
One more thing. In today’s gospel, the bridegroom himself ran late. What was that about? In Matthew 24:14, it says, “the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world…and then the end will come.” Jesus said, “Watch, for you know neither that day nor hour.”
What’s confusing is that elsewhere in the Bible it states that no one will be locked out of the wedding banquet who recognizes Jesus and cries, “Lord, lord, open to us,” if they are willing to confess why they’re late, what they failed at and also feel sorry about it. That’s why confession and forgiveness is the first thing we do every Sunday.
Right from the start, we admit to having a lack of thought and behaving in foolish ways. We say we’re sorry for not doing those things we were asked or hired to do. We acknowledge our faults and Jesus forgives us entirely of all our sins. If it were not so, we’d all have to hear Jesus say, “Truly, I don’t know you.”
We live in a world that values intellect, worships exceptional skill, rewards rational thought, and praises those who seem to have it all together, those who keep their lamps full with oil to spare.
I have to wonder if Jesus knew about the five other virgins who left to go buy more oil? Perhaps he thought they came knocking at the door to the wedding banquet after being no-shows and thought they could get into the party without lamps or any forethought.
This parable tells the truth about what human beings expect of each other. That some of us who have what we need will tell others to get what they need elsewhere. “Move on, get your own,” we say. What I have isn’t enough to share. Let me do my job and enjoy what I deserve because that’s more important than caring about what happens to you.
You should have thought ahead or been smarter. I feel sorry for you, but I’m not responsible for your fate. You messed up. You had the same chance I did to grab extra oil and bring it with you. What did you think we were being called to do or that the lamp with oil was for?
Truth is, all of the parables Jesus tells are told because people need to be reminded of what they don’t know and because we all need to be taught time and time and time again.
Let us pray. Help us learn that it’s not necessary to acquire or carry everything possible, only needed essentials. We don’t enjoy seeing others suffer because they’re foolish or wish for them to learn the hard way unless that’s the only way they’ll learn. We are thankful that only you, Lord, can decide when punishment or negative consequences are necessary.
Continue to remind and teach us what we do not remember or know. Help us share what we have and look for solutions together rather than strive to be proud individualists. Open doors for all who call upon you, who are sorry for their mistakes and who desire to shine your light. In your holy name we pray, Amen.