“Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’” – Matthew 25:11-12
Let’s try something different for this week’s reflection on the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins: a mini Bible study! First, prayerfully meditate on Matthew 25:1-13. What does the oil represent?
Second, read Matthew 22:37-40, our Gospel passage from a few Sundays back. Refresh yourself on the calling of the Greatest Commandment, the law of love.
Next, read Matthew 7:21-23 on true discipleship. What must we do to enter the kingdom of heaven? What are some similarities between these two passages?
Finally, read Matthew 25:31-46, the Great Judgment. This is the Gospel passage for the Solemnity of Christ the King. What are the actions of those who will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven? Who are the ones that Jesus tells, “Depart from me?”
Jesus does not know the foolish virgins (Matthew 25:12) or those who fail to do the will of the Father (Matthew 7:23). The bridegroom does not open the door to the Kingdom for the foolish virgins. He commands those who do not do “the will of the Father” to depart from Him, also not allowing them access to the Kingdom. At the Great Judgment, Jesus will judge us according to the Greatest Commandment to love God and others through the works of mercy that we offer (Matthew 25:35-36).
Now that you’ve studied these verses together, how does Jesus know us? What must our response to His love, grace, and gifts be in order to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven? What do you think the oil for the lamps in today’s passage represents? Why is it necessary to have this oil in order to enter the wedding feast? Why can’t the wise virgins share their oil?
Jesus, help me to have a real relationship with You by the way that I carry out the greatest commandment to love. Help me do the will of the Father and focus on carrying out “the weightier things of the law”: justice, mercy, and faith (Matthew 23:23).