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The Parable of

THE TEN VIRGINS

(Matthew 25:1-13)

     It was hailed as the worst tragedy in 1965.  Ten of the teenagers from St. Mary’s Girl School were killed in a bus accident on the way to school.  Five of them were members of the same Girl Scout troop.  Those girls had been very active in community service, and were well known in their own neighborhoods.

     The memorial service was flooded with people.  As part of the program, time was left open for testimonials.

     Mrs. Parker told of how the girls came and helped her after she broke her hip.

     Mr. Davis said how much he looked forward to their visits while he was in the hospital.

     The Straus family appreciated their free babysitting service for their triplets.

     Edna Young loved their yearly Christmas carols at their front door.

     Mrs. Bee needed their help canning her honey after her husband died.

     One after another, people stood in line to add to the list of the Girl Scouts’ good deeds.  As the memorials continued in this way, the families of the other five girls were sorry that they hadn’t enrolled their daughters in such a wonderful organization.

     As the testimonials finally drew to a close, the priest concluded the service. “Everyone wants their children to have a rich, full life”, he said, “but no one knows how much time we have.  No one ever expects that a life can be so short.  We cannot share the blessings of another’s acts of mercy.  Therefore, let us all honor the memories of these noble girls and fill our lives with our own good deeds.”

THE TEN VIRGINS  (Matthew 25:1-13)

     “The kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.  And at midnight a cry was heard;  ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’  Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’  But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.  Afterward, the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’  But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’  Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”