In the parable of the ten virgins, we see two distinct groups: the prudent and the foolish virgins. The antithesis between prudent (phrónimos) and foolish (morós) is not new: Jesus had already presented it at the end of the Sermon on the Mount.  In that context, a fool was the one who builds his life on the sand, while he who builds on the rock is prudent.  In our parable, prudence consists above all in knowing how to foresee the possibility of a long wait. The prudent virgins take oil in jars together with the lamps. What does that mean? Simple! The Christian knows, or he should know, that the Lord will return. He doesn’t know either the day or the hour. This, far from disheartening him, urges him to be ready at all times. The foolish women’s request for oil (cf. Mt 25.8) then falls on deaf ears. The prudent ones reply: “Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves”. In the final judgement, when the Bridegroom (nymphios), image of the Messiah, arrives, everyone will have to answer for themselves, for their own deeds, their choices. On that day, no one will be able to do anything for another. The final words of the Bridegroom on the arrival of the foolish virgins are extremely harsh: “I don’t know you” (Mt 25:12). These words are a typical nezifà, that is, rebuke of the teacher, who for seven days, as punishment, refuses any contact with the pupil. The face of the Bridegroom thus takes on the features of Christ the judge, who rejects those who have rejected the Law of the Lord.

Commentary by b. Sandro Carotta, osb Abbazia di Santa Maria – Praglia (Italy)

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves,Prinknash Abbey