Amen, I say to you, I do not know you

30 AUGUST (Mt 25,1-13)

The image of the virgins is borrowed from the Psalm. The marriage of the king is a solemn moment in the life of a people. It is celebrated with great pomp. The Queen is accompanied by a bevy of virgins, who act as a crown and ornament. They enhance her beauty. The king can see that his queen is truly the most beautiful. There is no other equal to her. His choice was perfect.

My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. Gird Your sword on Your thigh, O Mighty One, In Your splendor and Your majesty! And in Your majesty ride on victoriously, For the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; Let Your right hand teach You awesome things. Your arrows are sharp; The peoples fall under You; Your arrows are in the heart of the King’s enemies. Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your fellows. All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made You glad. Kings’ daughters are among Your noble ladies; At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir. Listen, O daughter, give attention and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father’s house; Then the King will desire your beauty. Because He is your Lord, bow down to Him. The daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; The rich among the people will seek your favor. The King’s daughter is all glorious within; Her clothing is interwoven with gold. She will be led to the King in embroidered work; The virgins, her companions who follow her, Will be brought to You. They will be led forth with gladness and rejoicing; They will enter into the King’s palace. In place of your fathers will be your sons; You shall make them princes in all the earth. I will cause Your name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore the peoples will give You thanks forever and ever (Psalm 45 (44) 1-18).

Jesus uses the image of the wedding procession to reveal to every man his most high responsibility before God. Having to act as crown to the king and queen, they must illuminate the path carrying with them a lit lamp. This will burn if there is oil in it. The lamp must always be supplied with a lot of oil. It is folly to take a lamp without oil. It is utmost imprudence that one deprives himself of his, because the other girl forgot to bring it with her. Prudence is always of great rigour.

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. 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.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

The teaching of Jesus is clear: when He comes the lamp must be well lit. He enters the banquet hall and the door is closed. Who is with him, follows him, who is not with him, remains outside, without any possibility that he might come in later. Once the door is closed, it is closed forever. It will never be opened again. Today, this truth is doubted by the world of the great, high and sublime theology. This high lighted theology proclaims that salvation is for everyone and that one day we will all be saved, regardless of our wisdom or folly. The mercy of God will cover us and will hide our unhealthy ignorance. That everyone can believe what he wants is a fact of his conscience. That one can say the opposite of what Jesus says is dishonesty of mind and heart. Honesty compels us to say what Jesus says. Against the word of Jesus, I say this other thing. The words of the faith are two: that of Jesus and the other of theology. Who chooses knows that Jesus thinks something else.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints make us be honest of heart and mind.