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 word virgins in today's story about the ceremonies around an expensive, fashionable wedding, might be better translated as girls. These children are old enough to go to the merchants and purchase oil. At this age in between childhood and adulthood, they are wise one moment, and foolish the next. Preoccupied with girlish things several are not prepared when plans go awry. It's not hard to imagine this situation, or the disappointment of the children who missed their big moment.
Anyone who has been to a few weddings can tell similar stories about bridesmaids and groomsmen who were not ready when their opportunity to walk up the aisle, or present the rings, or adjust the bride's train, arrived and disappeared. Twenty years later the story will still be told.
Today's first reading urges us to consider the virtue of wisdom, and reminds us that, "she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her."
It's not that some people are naturally smarter than others. The scriptures know nothing of IQ tests and the different kinds of native intelligence. Wise people study, work for, and love wisdom. Foolish people disdain that labor of love.
Americans have had long philosophical discussions about our education. In Louisville Kentucky in the early twentieth century, there were two high schools for boys: Male and Manual. Male prepared the teenagers for college; Manual taught the trades of carpentry, plumbing, electricity, auto repair, and so forth. One group studied European history, literature, the arts, and philosophy; the other encouraged manual skills.
A century later, many Americans believe we must invest heavily in STEM education, with little reference to the liberal arts, lest we fall technologically behind the rest of the world. They remind young people that the higher paying jobs go to scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians. Others argue that, without the liberal arts, we court the fate of the foolish virgins.
Neither school finds much support in the Scriptures since the word wise applies equally to learned philosophers and skilled tradesmen.
As one educated in the liberal arts, with an MA in Catholic pastoral theology, I am often astonished at the ignorance and contempt for learning of many Americans, including lawyers and priests. As the Internet continues to shred knowledge and information into thousands of specialized, isolated compartments, the grand opportunity of rapid communication and shared understanding disintegrates. We seem to be descending into Babel with its infamous tower and chaotic lingos, rather than ascending to the Upper Room where the Holy Spirit taught the world a single language.
Today's readings and our Catholic tradition remind us that we must love Wisdom.
She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire; whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate.... seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude.
As our leaders babble ideological nonsense with inane tweets, we must ask God to give us that guiding Spirit of Jesus which thirsts for wisdom and is revolted by cant.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.