About the Virgins

About the Ten Virgins Death is a personal encounter with God. This often comes very suddenly. The best protection against the danger of death is constant vigilance and readiness. This was expressed by Jesus in the parable of the ten virgins. “Then the kingdom of heaven shall resemble the ten virgins who took the lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom” (Mt 25: 1). Ten bridesmaids had the task of waiting for the groom. He was due to arrive at night and the bridesmaids were to welcome him with oil lamps on. Five of them were sensible, and they took enough oil with their lamps. The other five, who recall the parable as unreasonable, took no oil with them. As the bridegroom did not come, everyone began to doze and fell asleep. At midnight the bridegroom came and they all woke up. The wise virgins prepared the lamps and went to meet the groom. So far, it was unwise to buy oil. The groom came and the door closed. When they returned unwise, they vainly cried, “Lord, Lord, open to us!” (Mt. 25, 11). The groom answered them, “I do not know you” (Mt 25: 12).

The late and therefore unexpected arrival of the groom in the parable draws us to the late but sudden second coming of the Son of God, who will come in his glory (Mt 25:31). He also warns not to find us unprepared at the time of death and the day of his arrival. Therefore, even at the close of the parable, Jesus said, “Watch therefore because you know neither day nor hour” (Mt 25: 13). The uniqueness of earthly life is a reason for vigilance and a serious focus of life on God. There is no possibility to start the earth test once again after death. Life has only one beginning, but also one end, and then comes a “night when no one can work” (John 9: 4). Where the tree falls, it will lie there. Therefore, the words of Christ: “I do not know you” are not for jokes, but a serious admonition: “Watch because you know neither day nor hour” (Mt 25: 13). We still have time not to sound for us forever.

Missionary P. Abel tells the story he had experienced in Halle, Tyrol, where he was visiting the Institute for Insane. The headmaster led him into a large room, in which he saw a very nice girl sitting in the corner, embroidering the altar sheet. He approached her and asked which church was embroidering this canvas. The girl didn’t answer. But when he did not answer any further questions, the Father deeply moved by the destiny of the poor, left. Outside, the director of the institute told him about this girl that she was betrothed and had a wedding. Before the wedding she went to visit her groom in his house. He stood on the steps of his house and shouted, “Get away from me! He didn’t want to see you again!” I expelled her. The girl went crazy. The pain of condemnation is terrible. Terrible, if told to us by a parent, a friend … What is unmatched by the pain of souls who once will be condemned from God Himself: “Get away from me …” (Mt 25:41).

The parable of the ten virgins describes this scene and tells us to understand what Jesus puts on our hearts. Human life and the history of the Church are preparation, death and the end of human history is the joyful beginning of eternal marriage to God. The frequent admonition of our Lord to vigilance for God’s order is, in fact, admonitions to a steady love of God. One day, comes when everything on earth changes. All work and fun will have to be interrupted. The Lord Jesus will return to us on earth. He will come beautiful, full, with all angels and saints (Mt 25:31). Therefore, Lord “teach us to count our days, that we may come to the heart of the wise!” (Ps. 89, 12).