The Ten Bridesmaids

"This story throws light on what will happen in the kingdom of heaven: Ten bridesmaids went out with their lamps to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish, and five were sensible.

The careless bridesmaids took their lamps as they were, and did not take extra oil.  But those who were sensible, took flasks of oil with their lamps.  As the bridegroom delayed, they all grew drowsy and fell asleep.

But at midnight, a cry rang out, 'The bridegroom is here, come out and meet him!'  All the maidens woke up at once, and trimmed their lamps.  Then the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, 'Give us some oil, for our lamps are going out.'  The sensible ones answered, 'There may not be enough for us and for you.  You had better go to those who sell, and buy some for yourselves.'

When the bridegroom came, the foolish maidens were out buying oil, but those who were ready went with him into the wedding feast, and the doors were shut.

Later the other bridesmaids arrived and called out, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'  But he answered, 'Truly I do not know you.'

So stay awake, for you do not know the day nor the hour." - Matthew 25:1-13

 

("The Ten Bridesmaids" is the most beautiful parable on fidelity.  The ten girls followed the custom of waiting through the night for the bridegroom is late, something that should astonish no one.  The bride is not mentioned: perhaps they will discover at the end that there was no other than themselves.

They all grew drowsy and fell asleep.  Once the sun has set, all is dark and nothing more can be done [John 9:4].  No further work except fidelity of heart [Deuteronomy 5:2]: oil will be needed to keep the flame alive.

Here as on other places, the Gospel shows us that more than conversion and enthusiasm is needed: it is necessary to last.  Being sure of having a reserve of oil is to take the means that enable us to persevere in our vocation.

JESUS speaks to the believers of all times.  For them one day or another fidelity becomes burdensome: "I did not know to what I was committing myself."  There lies the grandeur of fidelity.  It cannot be known in advance; giving one's hand to GOD is a jump into the unknown.  Only through this perseverance can we be saved [Matthew 24:13], in other words, find ourselves.

The LORD demands faithfulness and perseverance from those HE has chosen: this is how we save a world that seeks truth everywhere and does not know to which LORD to surrender.)

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