A Provocative Parable

The focusing text of our gathering on August 6 was the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids, found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25.  Our meditation on this challenging parable prompted much reflection on our past associations with the story (if we grew up hearing it), as well as an introduction to a reframing of it by Cynthia Bourgeault in her book Wisdom Jesus: Transforming Heart and Mind - a New Perspective on Christ and His Message.  In the week following our meeting, two members shared these further explorations of the parable.  

Rick shared these quotes from The Mystic Way of Radiant Love by John Francis:

"Another metaphor suggestive of life energy is 'lamp oil'. It occurs in the intriguing parable of the five wise and the five foolish maidens (Matthew 25:1)... Let us consider that the number five, which is repeated twice, is a key to interpretation. There are five physical senses - sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell. From the mystical point of view, there is a wise and a foolish way of using these senses. In mysticism, lamp oil is a common metaphor for the life energy that is associated with the sensory organs...  a sleeping maiden could represent a sense organ that is still and inactive. The parable thus presents us with sense organs that have entered an inactive ('sleeping') state through either wise or foolish means. The wise way to still the senses is through self-discipline that conserves life energy ('lamp oil'). The foolish way to sensory stillness is through exhaustion resulting from overindulgence in sensuality which drains the life energy."

"The parable would thus be telling us that to enter into the heart's cave (marriage chamber) sufficient life energy is required to illuminate the way. This interpretation is certainly consistent with contemplative experience. Anyone who has tried to focus attention inwardly in contemplation knows how difficult it is to remain alert and responsive when in a fatigued condition... this parable has the added dimension of instructing us regarding the inner discipline required to transcend ordinary, dualistic awareness and feel the Love beyond pleasure and pain." (pages 23-24)

At the close of our meeting, Joan shared this poem that she had written during our time together:

This is my prayer:

My Lord, I must come to realize that I will always have enough oil, enough energy, enough longing to make ready for your coming.

Indeed, I must believe you are coming any minute. I can’t wait until later to know how to be ready. I have to right now bend and stand straight before the glory you are. Close my eyes not in sleep but in reverence; your light is greater, bolder, more joyous than my lamp. My lamp is dim compared to what you offer this world. To be ready for you, I must first be in awe that you are alive, the fullness of grace and blessing, the wisdom and deepest voice coming, coming, now and always coming. I have a small lamp, Lord make this lamp grow. I have a waiting heart, make this heart patient. I have a crowd of thoughts, make them one steady flame of your love coming into me. Come into me and make me your flame.

Amen, and amen.