Watchfulness and Illumination

Psalm 25 • Psalm 9, 15
Joshua 2:1-14 • Rom. 11:1-12 • Matt. 25:1-13

The gospel reading for today has an intense history of debate regarding how to interpret it. One of those debates is whether or not we should interpret this parable of the ten maidens allegorically — in other words, is there a deeper message below the surface?

Historically, an allegorical reading of this parable says the ten maidens who fell asleep at night actually represent the dead, and the bridegroom they are waiting for is Christ at his second coming. They all arise to meet him, but five of the maidens were attentive and duly prepared for the arrival of the bridegroom, and five were not, and therefore, the latter five are banished.

There is certainly something sobering about this parable, as many stories of scripture are that involve darkness and visitations. However, I’m content to leave that allegorical interpretation aside, and consider other implications, such as the way that we are visited in the darkness by Christ, and the way we bear flames that illuminate his presence for others. In reference to this parable, Thomas Merton writes that “the sacramental illumination of Baptism has enkindled the lamp of our being… But our life is still a life of waiting in darkness. The vigilance with which we must expect the ‘coming of the Bridegroom’ is the constant readiness to ratify the moral option made in our baptism.”

The more we enter into our own baptismal covenant, the deeper we become buried with Christ in the darkness, which means all the more are we raised into life and his ascension when Christ visits again, everyday, and in the end. Through keeping our own lamps full, and wicks ready, by the depth of prayer that the church offers, we maintain watchfulness for ourselves, and for those others who need oil for their lamps too.

Written by Nathan John Haydon

Nathan earned his PhD studying medieval literature, especially Old English literature and theology. He’s a Benedictine oblate, and he loves coffee, beer, and cats, and sometimes enjoys drinking coffee and beer at the same time while playing with a cat.