virgins had not made the necessary preparation for the bridegroom’s coming, and this lack of preparation is conveyed in their lack of oil. The oil represents the virtues, and particularly the virtues of mercy and compassion. It is telling that some of our Church Fathers and hymn writers, who were great lovers of wordplay, make a comparison between the Greek word for oil, elaion, and the Greek word for mercy, eleos. And mercy is what the Church recognizes the oil to symbolize in this parable. This