THE parable of the ten virgins, as told in the twenty-fifth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, contains a wonderful lesson, which can be used very advantageously in meeting the problems and opportunities of today. In this parable the five wise virgins kept their lamps trimmed and their vessels well supplied with oil in anticipation of the bridegroom's coming.
The word "oil," as defined on page 592 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, the beloved Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, signifies "consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration." Thoughts filled with such oil enlighten the world, and glorify our Father-Mother God.
The five foolish virgins had no oil for their lamps, so they were in darkness. They had remained in doubt and ignorance of the importance and significance of the coming event. They were not ready for the arrival of the bridegroom when it actually occurred. Then they tried to borrow from the other and wiser virgins, but were not permitted to do so. Their slothfulness did not entitle them to reap benefits which they had not honestly earned, and did not justly deserve. As a result, while they went to buy oil, they missed the bridegroom's coming and had to learn through bitter disappointment the penalty for procrastination and unpreparedness.
