04/08/2026
(A message from Father Stephen Powley)
In the midst of the Bridegroom Services of Holy Week, we are reminded of the parable the Lord tells us about the ten virgins (five foolish and five wise). We have heard this parable many times. Have you ever wondered why the five wise virgins wouldn’t share their oil with the other five? Doesn’t it fly in the face of sharing what you have with others in need? Here’s what it says (Matthew 25:1-12)
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.”
The answer to that question is not complicated at all. This parable concerns the Second Coming of our Lord: the Bridegroom returning for His Bride. The Lord concludes this parable with these words: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matthew 25:13).
The oil represents our virtues and we cannot give those away. The lamps represent our faith. All ten of the virgins had faith but the five foolish ones never put that faith into action. They had no spiritual fruit (no works). The virtuous actions of the five wise virgins were things that couldn’t be shared. It is up to each person to put their faith into action. St. Jerome (4th Century) had this interpretation and of course the Holy Scriptures tell us: What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? Thus, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:14,17).
St. Augustine (early 5th Century) narrowed the oil down to the virtue of love. Love is the highest of the virtues because God is love. Our love for God is to be put into action by our love for everyone. The Holy Apostle John covers this topic completely in his first epistle (especially chapters 3 and 4): “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:16-17).
St. John Chrysostom (4th and early 5th Century) interpreted the oil as showing mercy to those in need. Love and mercy go hand in hand: “Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36).
Ultimately, we cannot borrow anyone else’s virtues. Each of us needs to walk in love and mercy, living a Christian life in the time that we have under the sun. When we fail (I fail daily), we ask forgiveness, get back up, and continue to ask for God’s help to live a virtuous life honoring the name Christian that we bear.
