Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. Matthew 25:1-4

For us, a wedding is just a gathering of families and friends to commemorate the love between two individuals. Our weddings are usually an one-day affair. We might share a meal together and even a festive night of dancing. This about summarizes it. Even the most elaborate modern weddings can appear to be quite spartan compared to weddings in biblical times. There are still cultures in present times whose weddings tend to be more elaborate and perhaps even closer to those of biblical times. These are usually found in places close to where Jesus once walked on earth.

The gospels seem to have a preference to choose weddings as symbol to expound on deep spiritual truths. In the case of the parables, they are often used to convey profound teachings about the end of times. This is probably strange for us. End time talk is often riddled with fear mongering and somber encounters. The New Testament speaks of the end as a joyous celebration because the end signifies when true heavenly justice comes into our existence. It is a time of rejoicing, not one of fear.

Weddings in the Ancient times were not a mere commemoration of the love between two lovers but a union of families. The two becoming one was not just an individual phenomenon but a communal reality. This perspective of marriage is still true in some parts of the world as this is the idea behind arranged marriages. Since marriage involves union of families, the decision cannot be left to mere romantic notions between two individuals. We live in a different time and we might find this prospect horrifying. However, in biblical times, this was the norm. The parables talked about a marriage in this sense. It is a festive celebration of the union between two families. This symbol has deeper meaning for us as Christians. It helps us to understand the enigmatic words of St Paul;

For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord for ever. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

This is not about rapture, a concept which is foreign to early Christianity and a term invented less than a century ago. The text talks about an union between two realities which have been estranged since the fall of humanity and now through an eternal marriage will be united together as one.

In this particular parable, the main protagonists are the ten virgins. We are told that five are prudent and the rest were unwise or foolish. The term, “virgins”, in Jesus’ time, was used to signify young women who were ready to be betrothed. In biblical times, adolescence did not exist. Either a person was a child and never participated in any adult events or an adult. The virgins, in male dominated society, can only be fully adults if they are married. Weddings were usually an opportunity for them to be in the world so that other families would see them as potential candidates for marriage. Dating, in those times, was something completely unknown. The virgins had limited freedom to interact in society. Therefore, festive events were the only times it was appropriate for them to be in plain view. It wasn’t just a mere participation in something festive. It was a gateway to adulthood for these virgins. It was their moment as much as the moment for the wedding party. They were given the privilege to present themselves to the world as Light bearers for the coming groom.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

The focus on this parable is not the Bridegroom but the attitude of the virgins. We are symbolically the virgins and Christ the Bridegroom. We have a task to fulfill. We have one primary function. We are to be God’s Light bearers. By doing so, we also become the Light of the world. However, we can not in ourselves produce the Light. In other words, it is not something we possess naturally. It is something which comes from beyond us. St John, in the fourth gospel, proclaims Jesus is the Light of the World. It is the Lord Himself who shines brightly in our lives so that we begin to reflect this Light in the world. It comes into our lives through the grace of God. St John’s gospel also reminds us that people were afraid of the Light because it exposed who they were. Many times, it is believed that this fear comes from being afraid of having our darkest secrets or sins exposed. However, God is not interested in humiliating us. Unfortunately, this is something the church has done in the past. Some so-called Christians think it is necessary to humiliate people into conversion. This is not bringing Light into the lives of the people but casting fear and darkness into their souls. The Light of Jesus shines into our soul in order to bring freedom and forgiveness. Sin is a burden, not a joy, therefore, most people want to be free from the burden of sin. Nevertheless, people still rejected and continue to reject the Light. Not because they want to continue in their sins but they want to remain in their Sin.

The Sin of our first parents according to Genesis was not eating the forbidden fruit but desiring to be like God. We don’t allow the Light to come into our lives because it reveals who we truly are. We are nothing but limited finite beings who have no power nor control over our existence. Unfortunately, many refuse to acknowledge this. Instead they remain in this fantasy that they can control their lives and others around them. All the efforts of humanity, maybe power or wealth, are an attempt to control their reality. Even though the Truth shows that we are nothing but mere created beings. However, many would rather remain in the darkness and pretend that they have control over their lives, over others and even over God. They choose darkness instead of Light. They would rather remain in Sin.

The Light shines brightly for those who accept who they truly are in God’s sight. They can accept this Truth because the Light also reveals who God is. He is a God who is always present just like Light is always present even in the most darkest moment. Nothing can prevail against it. Those who choose to walk in this Light are freed from the temptations of assuming the role of God in their lives. They can trust completely in God to guide them. They have the freedom to obey the words of Jesus.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33

As they do so, their lives reflect the Light of Hope to those around. The Light that the virgins were asked to carry was not to usher the Bridegroom to the wedding feast. The Groom knows the way. It is for the people around to see and enjoy to the sight of Groom coming in all His glory.

This parable is in many ways related to the one about the sower. The seeds take root in different soils but only one bears fruits. The Light shines on everyone but some reject it immediately. Some receive it joyfully but they don’t have enough oil to sustain them. As Christians, it is important for us to know what this “oil” means for us, or rather, how can we have enough of it. I am sure that there are multiple ways of interpreting the symbolic meaning of ‘oil’. Some would say it is the Holy Spirit. Some would say it is fellowship of the saints and others would be inclined to say it is participating in the Eucharist. All these are true. Since many have said all these things, I won’t repeat them here. However, I will share how we receive the ‘oil’ in our lives here among the homeless youth.

I will say that recently we feel that God has filled our “lamps” with “oil”. We are sensing a renewal in our faith. It is not new oil but it is something which always has been present. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened. Actually, everything has become very routine in our ministry. Everyday we do the same things with the young people. We meet at the same spot. We almost always meet the same people everyday. Like the virgins waiting for the Groom, nothing spectacular was happening so much so that it was easy to fall “asleep”. Thankfully, there was enough oil in our lamps to reveal that the Kingdom of God was happening in our midst. Our young people are opening up more to us. The conversations are becoming more meaningful and about their spirituality. Our relationships are no longer one of “us” and “them” but more like just “us”. In other words, God is weaving us into a single fabric and the thread is none other than Jesus Christ. Recently, we had an encounter with Taina. She approached us when she was in desperate need of counsel and comfort. We were able help her in a small way. After which, she wrote a simple note to us,

“When my mother (Patricia) passed away, I thought I was going to be alone and without any direction in life but instead, God has placed you in my life.”

Tainá is not one to express her sentiments. However, her words affirmed in our souls that God has given her a place to belong. We might visit other places but this is where God has given us to stand with our lamps. As we wait for His coming, we have the task to allow His Light to shine so that others may approach His Light and seek solace there. God draws us to the Light. As these others join us, the “oil” gets replenished and the Light becomes brighter and stronger. When we walk in His Love, our lamp always has enough oil for the Light to burn brightly.