Contemplating today’s gospel reading can be somewhat challenging. On the surface, the reading appears to convey messages that do not seem aligned with some other gospel messages such as give to those in need or do not worry about tomorrow. The ones who are held up as wise in this parable are the ones who refuse to share their oil with the ones who are running low of oil. Further, the wise are the ones who have stocked up provisions for the future unlike the others who have provisions just for the present moment. In the current pandemic situation, these apparent messages can be disturbing and troubling, especially, as the poor and marginalized face a disproportionate burden of the effects of the pandemic. The poor do not have the luxury of stocking up on provisions and retreating to a vacation home to escape the virus. Instead, they have to continue to work to make ends meet and often live day  to day putting themselves in greater danger of being infected by the virus. So, is the parable really implying that we should not give to those in need or should stock up on provisions for the future? I don’t think so. In fact, it is indicating just the opposite and presents an even more demanding call to discipleship.

The parable of the ten virgins has to be viewed from the perspective of the last judgment section that appears later in the same chapter of Matthew’s gospel (verses 31-46). In this section, the ones who inherit the kingdom are the ones who give food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit those in prison. Because what they did for the least ones, they did for the king (Christ). The parable of the ten virgins is then a reminder to us that true discipleship (characterized by the five wise virgins) consists in living out the beatitudes and caring for the least among us. Challenging indeed!