Doesn’t it seem odd that Jesus does not imply that the wise bridesmaids should have compassion on the foolish ones and share their oil so that everyone can meet the bridegroom? Elsewhere he urges us to forgive 70 times 7 times. He tells us to turn the other cheek, to give our shirt as well as our cloak. And we are to make these concessions to people who have (or may) directly hurt us.
Surely, you will say that this parable it is not about showing compassion on others, but on where we stand at the end times, about our worthiness before God, something only we ourselves are answerable for. Perhaps this is a warning that if we don’t get right with God, we won’t get through the narrow door. If we believe in a God like that, a God who shuts the door on mercy, that interpretation might work. Or perhaps it’s about some other way in which we must take responsibility for ourselves, something which cannot be effected for us, a sort of warning about the nature of a reality larger and deeper than our everyday experience.
Regardless, I’m interested here in whether this parable can be read with an environmental lens. While this story would not have been intended to point us to environmental stewardship, the message applies uncannily well. If we really look at the range and complexity of dangers associated with climate change—many of which we are already beginning to experience—we can see that the integrity of natural systems that can provide sufficient resources for everyone is endangered by the foolish. It is as though the foolish bridesmaids had woken in the middle of the night, stolen the oil of the wise bridesmaids (who were sleeping), and used it all up partying, so that when groom was announced, there was too little oil remaining for any of them.
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