The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Imagine you have gone on a big trip. You have been away from home for a week. You are on a bus, making the long ride home. The trip was fun, but you are looking forward to sleeping in your bed.

You are about an hour away from your destination, so the trip leaders tell everyone to call their parents and let them know the time they should arrive to pick you up. You call and there is no answer. You look around the bus. Everyone else is talking to their parents. But your parents still aren’t answering.

• How does this make you feel?

Finally, when you are about 10 minutes away from your destination, your mom answers the phone. She and your dad were at a movie. They can be there in a half hour. “But mom, you knew I was coming home tonight…..”

• Now what are you thinking?

You have arrived. Everyone else’s parent’s have picked them up and are heading home. You spend an awkward 20 minutes waiting with the group leaders. Just you and the two adults. You feel sorry that they have to wait with you. It is embarrassing. Finally, your parents arrive.

• What do you want to say to them?

In this gospel reading about the Parable of the Ten Virgins, the bridegroom experiences something similar:

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “”The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’

While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked.

Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’

But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’

Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.””

Matthew 25:1-13 – the Gospel for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Let’s think about that story of coming home from a big trip. You’ve been gone for a whole week, and you’re tired but excited to sleep in your own bed. You’re on the bus, about an hour from your stop. The leaders tell everyone to call their parents so they’ll be ready to pick you up. You make your call, but nobody answers. You try again. Still no answer.

Meanwhile, everyone else on the bus is laughing and chatting with their parents, and you feel alone. Finally, just ten minutes before you arrive, your mom picks up and says she and your dad are at a movie. They’ll be there in half an hour. Now you’re embarrassed. You have to wait while everyone else gets picked up. Your leaders stay with you, but you feel awkward because they have to wait too. When your parents finally arrive, you’re frustrated, disappointed, and maybe even a little hurt.

That situation is not just about parents being late. It’s about what happens when people aren’t ready. You expected your parents to be prepared for your arrival. You counted on them. When they weren’t ready, you felt let down. That’s exactly the feeling Jesus describes in the Parable of the Ten Virgins. In the story, the bridegroom represents Jesus, and the virgins are people like us who are waiting for him. Some were prepared with extra oil for their lamps. Others weren’t. When the bridegroom came, only the ones who were ready went with him. The others were left behind.

Now, think about this: in both stories, the important event was no surprise. You told your parents when to expect you. The virgins knew the bridegroom was coming. The problem wasn’t a lack of information. The problem was a lack of preparation. Being ready is the key. If we say we’re followers of Jesus, then we are called to be ready at all times, not just when it’s easy. The parable reminds us that we don’t know the exact day or hour when Jesus will come again, or even when our own lives might end. But we do know it will happen. So the question is, are we ready?

One of the biggest lessons here is that readiness is personal. Think about the foolish virgins asking the wise ones for oil. They thought they could just borrow someone else’s preparation. But the wise virgins told them no, because if they shared, nobody would have enough. That may sound harsh at first, but it’s true. You can’t borrow someone else’s faith. You can’t count on your parents, your priest, or your friends to make you ready for Jesus. They can help guide you, but in the end, you have to make the choice yourself. Your relationship with God is yours alone.

Another lesson is that readiness isn’t only about the end of the world or death. Readiness also means being awake to Jesus showing up in your life today. He can come to you in unexpected ways: through a friend who needs help, a teacher who needs respect, or even a stranger who needs kindness. If you aren’t paying attention, you might miss him. If you are too focused on yourself, you might not notice the opportunities to serve and love. Readiness is about keeping your heart open so you can respond when God puts something in front of you.

Let’s be real. None of us likes being unprepared. It makes us feel stressed, embarrassed, or out of control. Think about when you forget to study for a test, or when you show up for practice and realize you left your shoes at home. Those moments teach us something important. Preparation matters. It’s the same with our spiritual lives. When we pray, when we read scripture, when we try to live out the teachings of Jesus, we’re filling our lamps with oil. Every little choice we make builds our readiness for when Jesus calls us.

So, here’s the challenge for you: don’t wait until the last minute. Don’t assume you’ll have time later. Every day is a chance to prepare. Ask yourself, how am I getting ready for Jesus today? Am I filling my lamp with oil, or am I ignoring it and hoping someone else will take care of it for me? The wise virgins remind us that being ready takes effort, but it’s worth it. Because when the bridegroom comes, those who are ready will share in the joy of the feast. And that’s where we all want to be.

What do you think? Are you ready to take that seriously in your own life?

When it is time for small group discussions, encourage the youth to be open and respectful. Remind them that there are no “wrong” answers in sharing their thoughts. The goal is to listen to one another, think honestly about the questions, and see how the parable connects to their own lives. Make sure everyone has a chance to speak, even if they only want to share a little.

• How does it feel when someone is not ready for something important, like in the story of waiting for your parents?
• What do you think the oil in the lamps might represent in our own lives?
• Why do you think Jesus wants us to always be ready, even though we do not know when he will come?
• Have you ever had a time when you felt unprepared? How did that affect you?
• What are some small daily things you can do to “fill your lamp” with oil and stay ready for Jesus?
• Why can’t we rely on others to be ready for us? What does that teach us about our personal responsibility in faith?
• How can being spiritually ready also help us deal with challenges at school, home, or with friends?
• What is one way you want to work on being more prepared this week?

Here’s a challenge for you this week. Pick one simple action that will help you be more ready. It doesn’t have to be big. Maybe it’s laying out your clothes the night before so mornings are less stressful. Maybe it’s setting aside a few minutes each day for prayer or quiet time. Or maybe it’s finishing your homework earlier so you’re prepared for class. Choose something that makes sense for you.

Once you decide, stick with it. Pay attention to how it affects your week. Do you feel calmer? Do you feel like things are more under control? These small steps teach us the value of being prepared.

Remember, little changes build bigger habits. If you can prepare in small ways, you’ll be ready for bigger challenges too. So take this week seriously. Focus on one thing that helps you be more prepared, and then think about how it makes a difference in your life.

Close with this Prayer for Faithfulness or another appropriate prayer:

O Lord, my God,
Creator and Ruler of the universe,
grant that I may be faithful today and every day,
aware that you are with me in every circumstance.
Keep my heart vigilant,
ready to respond to your will and your grace.
May I be diligent in my work, kind in my dealings,
and eager in seeking you throughout my day. Amen.

Themes

• Always be ready: Jesus tells us to stay awake and prepared for his coming. We do not know when he will arrive. Living with readiness helps us follow him every day.
• Personal responsibility: Each person must prepare their own heart for Christ. We cannot rely on others to do it for us. Our choices matter in our relationship with God.
• Faith in action: Preparation is not just in words but in what we do. Daily habits of prayer, kindness, and service keep our faith alive. This is how we live as followers of Jesus.
• Value of vigilance: Staying alert helps us notice when God is present in our lives. He may show up in people or in situations around us. If we are not watchful, we may miss him.
• Trust in God: Being ready shows that we place our trust in God’s promises. We believe he will come, even if we wait a long time. Trust gives us hope and peace.
• Power of small steps: Even little acts of preparation matter. Small habits build a steady faith. These daily choices shape us into people who are ready for Christ.
• Accountability before God: One day we will face God with our lives. We cannot make excuses or shift the blame. He will ask us how we used our time and gifts.
• Living with hope: Readiness is not about fear. It is about waiting with joy and hope for Jesus. Hope encourages us to keep going when life feels hard.
• Community and witness: While each person must prepare for Christ, our readiness also helps others. When people see our faith in action, they are encouraged. Our example can inspire others to prepare too.
• Connection to daily life: The parable speaks to real situations, like being unprepared or waiting. It teaches that faith is lived in everyday choices. Preparation is not only for the end but for each day.
• Call to holiness: Readiness leads us to live closer to Jesus. We grow in love, patience, and mercy. These are the marks of holiness in daily life.

Background Material

The Parable of the Ten Virgins is found in Matthew 25:1-13. Jesus tells this story to remind his followers to stay ready for his coming. In the parable, five virgins are prepared with extra oil for their lamps, while five are not. When the bridegroom comes, the wise are welcomed, but the foolish are left outside. The clear message is that we must be prepared for the Lord, because we do not know when he will arrive.

This teaching connects closely to many parts of our Catholic faith. The Bible often speaks about being watchful. In Mark 13:33, Jesus says, “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.” In Luke 12:35, he tells his disciples, “Gird your loins and light your lamps.” These verses show that preparation is not only about the end of time but about how we live every day. A Christian life is one of readiness.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this idea very clearly. It says, “Since the Ascension, Christ’s coming in glory has been imminent, even though ‘it is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority.’ This eschatological coming could be accomplished at any moment” (CCC 673). This means that we should always live as if Jesus could come today. Our hearts should be ready for him at any moment.

Being ready is also about how we use the gifts God has given us. The foolish virgins failed to prepare, even though they had the same opportunity as the wise. In the same way, we are each responsible for our own choices. Saint Paul writes in Philippians 2:12, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” This does not mean we earn salvation on our own, but it does mean we must respond to God’s grace with effort and care.

The oil in the lamps can be seen as a symbol for faith, prayer, and good works. These are things we cannot borrow from others. Our parents, teachers, or friends cannot believe for us. Each of us must keep our own lamp burning by living close to Christ. The Church teaches that prayer, the sacraments, and acts of love keep our faith alive. When we do these things, we are preparing ourselves to meet the Lord.

This parable also points to the joy of heaven. The wise virgins enter the wedding feast, which is an image of eternal life with God. The Mass reflects this truth, as it is both a meal and a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. By staying ready, we are not only avoiding being shut out. We are preparing to share in the joy that God has promised us forever.

In the end, this lesson plan helps young people see that readiness is part of daily Christian living. It is not just about the final judgment, but about keeping our eyes open to Jesus in every moment. Through scripture, the Catechism, and tradition, the Church teaches us to live in hope, stay faithful, and prepare our hearts for Christ. This is what it means to keep our lamps burning until he comes.

Music Suggestions

• Find Us Ready
• How Great Thou Art
• Better Is One Day
• While I Wait
• You’ll Come
• Everlasting God