- preparing for judgment – the parable of the wise and foolish
bridesmaids builds on the preparation theme which ends Jesus’ "little
apocalypse." Yet the parable is more fully understood within the larger motif of
coming judgment (chps. 24-25). The parable assumes some knowledge of the marriage customs
of first century Palestine; we are thus left with much unknowing. Who / where, for
instance, is the bride? If this parable is a Matthean allegory—which notable New
Testament scholars suggest—then what are the precise correspondences?
- unlocking an allegory? – if an allegory then undoubtedly, Jesus
would have been seen as the bridegroom at his second coming. The bridesmaids would have
represented the church. The focus is on the bridesmaids—all had oil and
lamps—but are all ten to be understood Matthew’s community? The Church? Or two
types of Christians? Or were the five wise Christians who have properly prepared while the
five foolish represent the world? Whatever we don’t understand about this allegory,
the warning of the parable is clear: prepare before it is too late.
- cyril of alexandria [ fl 412-444] – In the parable all the
virgins go out with their lamps. Jesus indicates by this that all souls have been
illumined by God through innate and natural laws, but also indeed by the laws written by
Moses. [1]
Recall moments
when you have completely forgotten to prepare for and event—an assignment, an
appointment, a presentation, a meeting, an exam, etc.
What did you feel like when the realization hit you? How did you respond? Buy time?
Suddenly become aware of a tickle in your throat or a fast-acting flu bug? Beg
forgiveness? Design plausible excuses, e.g. "the dog ate my electronic planner."
block #1 describe the
strange texture of this genre; quite different for the norm; include several stories,
vignettes, a personal example of non-planning and the impact such an action had on others
or self
block #2 – shift to gospel story; walk through it freezing the
action from time to time to explain or sharpen the focus;
block #3– suggest ways early Christians struggled with this
passage;
Caesarius of Arles: 5 "virgins" = 5 senses through which
life and death come; sleep = death
Augustine of Hippo: 5 "virgins" = the Church; lamps = good
works; wise = those who have the holy, catholic faith; oil = charity ("soil swims
above all liquids . . . the greatest of these is love")
Hilary of Portiers: "the whole story is about the great day of
the Lord"
block #4– Move to your "ah-ha!" – what you have
discovered from this story and what that discovery might mean to the listening community
in our day.
