You might remember that the First Letter to the Corinthians began with St. Paul complimenting the people of Corinth for their discourse and their knowledge. Today, St. Paul follows up that compliment by saying that the way to preach the Gospel is not through the wisdom of human eloquence but by preaching the wisdom of the cross. It is the heart of the Gospel; we preach Christ crucified.
It is something of a human truth that the world doesn’t usually follow after losers. In human terms, Jesus is, in the eyes of the world, the vanquished one. For those without faith, Jesus lost; the Roman and Jewish officials won. It took several decades for the early Christian community to come to terms with the notion that God would honor and glorify someone who died such an ignominious death. Crucifixion was a badge of dishonor. How could God visit such a punishment on a just man?
However, for those who have faith in the resurrection, we see Jesus not as the vanquished but as the one who is honored because of his obedience. Suffering is no longer a badge of dishonor for the just one. The Hebrew Scriptures were beginning to see this in the Book of Job, a late addition to the Hebrew canon. It is only in the Christian Scriptures that this notion is fully explored, illustrated, and accepted. St. Paul’s assertion that we preach or proclaim Christ crucified is followed up by saying that it is a stumbling block for the Jews (those who believe in the theology of reciprocity) and foolishness for the Greeks, whose philosophy does not admit to an afterlife.
The parable of the wise and foolish maidens can be read as a parable of being ready for the return of the bridegroom. However, it can also be read as a story that accentuates the fact that Jesus will return one day. On that day, he will appear not as the vanquished one but as the one who has triumphed over death. He will return with salvation for his disciples.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator