Gospel in Art: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom

The Wise and Foolish Virgins, 17th century tapestry, Norway, © Minneapolis Institute of Art / The William Hood Dunwoody Fund

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 9 August 2023
Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus told this parable to his disciples: 'The kingdom of heaven will be like this: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible: the foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a cry, "The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet him." At this, all those bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps, and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, "Give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out." But they replied, "There may not be enough for us and for you; you had better go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves." They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door was closed. The other bridesmaids arrived later. "Lord, Lord," they said "open the door for us." But he replied, "I tell you solemnly, I do not know you." So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.'

Reflection on the 17th century tapestry

Our charming 17th-century Norwegian tapestry depicts today's parable of the Five Wise and the Five Foolish Virgins who went forth to meet the bridegroom. The virgins are shown in two rows, one above the other. At the top we see the wise virgins, their lamps raised high. Below are the foolish ones holding their extinguished lamps and crying into their handkerchiefs. They are all wearing bridal gowns. The upper part of the bodies is frontal, but they turn slightly from the waist so that their ornate skirts are seen partly in profile. The haloed figure at the top left is probably Christ, the bridegroom.

When Jesus calls us to be his followers, it is always for the long haul. It is something that we commit to with our whole lives and for the rest of our lives. We are asked to keep our light burning, through good times and bad, right to the moment we die. Keeping our lamp burning, letting our light shine to the end, actually especially at the end, can be a very powerful witness of the love we hold for Christ.

But the day we die is not the day on which the Lord suddenly comes. He comes every day of our lives. It is good to think of this parable as the lovely feeling we get when we are met by someone when we arrive home from a long journey. To be met by our parents, children or friends after a long journey is heart warming. The bridegroom in today's parable, who turned up late, must have been equally pleased to find that at least some of the bridesmaids were there to meet him with torches lit and ready to escort him to the wedding banquet, in spite of his late arrival and their long wait. Like him, so were the virgins who were prepared. Their mutual joy and love they share is what we celebrate today.

The Wise and Foolish Virgins, 17th century tapestry, Norway, © Minneapolis Institute of Art / The William Hood Dunwoody Fund

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-25-1-13-2023/