Gospel: The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

Today is the Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, and the Gospel passage will be proclaimed according to St Matthew (tap here for today's complete Mass readings from USCCB).

In this week's Gospel, Jesus talks about what it means to be prepared to receive the Kingdom of Heaven. Today's readimg follows a series of warnings and predictions by Jesus about the coming of the Son of Man. Jesus wants his disciples to understand that the exact date and time cannot be predicted. He teaches his disciples that they must remain vigilant so that they will not be caught unprepared.

When thinking about the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, it is important to consider the first-century wedding tradition of Palestine. Scholars tell us that it was the custom of the day for young maiden--friends and family members of the bride--to meet the bridegroom when he came to bring his new bride to her new home.

As with many of Jesus' parables, several levels of interpretation are possible. In last week's Gospel, we heard Jesus warn against following the example of the Pharisees and scribes. If read in the context of early Christianity's struggle to define itself against Pharisaic Judaism, this parable is a continuing critique of the Jewish faith. It suggests that the Temple leaders were like the foolish virgins, unprepared to meet Jesus, the bridegroom of Israel.

In the chapter preceding this parable, however, Jesus also warns about the destruction of Jerusalem, the tribulation of the end times, and the coming of the Son of Man. When read in this context, today's parable is a warning to the Christian community to remain vigilant and prepared to meet Jesus, the Son of Man who will return during the end of time. This interpretation is supported by reference to the delay of the bridegroom. The Christian community for whom St Matthew wrote this Gospel was coming to terms with realization that the promise of Jesus' return would not be fulfilled in their lifetimes. The questions that remain for us to ask ourselves are:

Are we ready to receive Jesus?

Will we be prepared to receive him?

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This Chapter is sponsored by Dior.