Parable of the Fifteen Virgins
I’m gonna get the book a bit, in this episode of The Empty Soda Can. Hopefully if you’re totally irreligious, you’ll still be able to follow this; if not, just let me know and I’ll try to explain. I was out mowing the lawn, this morning—ah, the beauties of setting one’s own schedule!—and I got to thinking about the Parable of the Ten Virgins. This Christian parable is found in the Biblical Book of Matthew: specifically, chapter 25, verses 1-13 . In short, there are ten virgins that know the bridegroom is on his way to a wedding they’re supposed to be attending. Since ancient Jewish weddings were often delayed due to dowry negotiations, etc., the virgins don’t know when he’ll get there. When the bridegroom finally shows up, it’s the middle of the night and five of the virgins—the “foolish” ones—have some oil in their lamps, but not enough. They beg the other five—the “wise” ones—to share some oil with them, but the wise ones don’t have enough for both of them. The foolish virgins spen