Reflection/Homily for 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 12th November 2023

Reflection/Homily for 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 12th November 2023

Wisdom 6:12-16. Psalm 63:2,3-4,5-6,7-8. 2 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Matthew 25:1-13.

Theme: Be Prepared Always.

As we draw closer to the end of this liturgical year, the Catholic Church is reminding us of the reality of the end. From now on, most of our readings will be centred on death and judgment.

Today's readings hinge on the theme of "seeking or waiting for God with confident expectation," and it is wisdom, the first reading, that really sets the tone. The author of the Book of Wisdom exhorted his Jewish audience to seek wisdom because the proper end of all learning is moral living.

Wisdom is presented as a woman because both in Hebrew (hokmah) and Greek (sophia) wisdom is  a feminine noun.

To be constantly awake, we need wisdom and common sense, and that is what the first reading is saying. "Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her and is found by those who seek her" (Wis.6:12).

Then, we are told what wisdom does. From early morning, this beautiful girl goes around looking for the wise man to make him happy. She does not wait for him to look for her; she makes herself ready at the door of the house. If she hears of somebody worthy of her, she walks about looking for that person.

The first reading ends by saying that the man who marries her will be blessed and free from anxiety. Indeed, whoever allows  themselves to be found by the wisdom of God and accepts it as his guide will experience immense peace.

What is this wisdom? St. Paul tells us in the second reading that true wisdom is found in our Lord Jesus Christ. To know him and love him is true wisdom, and in these words, he advises the Thessalonians who were worried about their dead: "For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring those who have fallen asleep" (1 Thess.4:14). The Thessalonians were under the impression that only those living when the Lord comes will have an opportunity to receive the gift of eternal life. They believed that the dead had lost their chance! St. Paul wants them to understand that from now until Jesus comes again, death may appear to be final, but it has lost its power, thanks to the Risen Lord.

Today's Gospel parable is an allegory about the vigilance required in waiting for Christ. It is an "illustrative story" and a parable where two kinds of contrary behaviours are presented in order that the listener comes to the wisdom of knowing which one he or she is. In today's Gospel, the identification deals with two groups of bridesmaids - wise and foolish - waiting for the bridegroom to arrive. Here, the issue of contrast is about seriousness and responsibility in being prepared.

Since the foolish bridesmaid brought no oil, despite being aware that there would be no telling when the bridegroom would arrive, they had to go to local dealers to buy some. They may have travelled too far to buy extra oil for their lamps, and before they could return to join the procession, the doors  of the bridegroom's house had been locked. They cried, "Lord, Lord, open to us. But he replied, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you'" (Matt.25:11-12). These five, though virgins, were lost because, contrary to the opinion of some, one needs more than chastity to merit God's kingdom. Being a virgin or chaste is never enough to enter heaven. It must be accompanied by an authentic Christian life. An unforgiving, uncaring, uncharitable, inattentive virgin will never enter heaven. The warning of Jesus is very important, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour" (Matt.25:13).

The request of the foolish bridesmaid shows how foolish they are because sharing the oil will risk everyone being in the dark when the bridegroom comes. The advice of the wise bridesmaid is the most sensible recourse under the circumstances. What St. Matthew means here, is that one community's preparation cannot be transferred to another. Each group has to be prepared, vigilant, and conscious about their responsibility in waiting for the Lord. No one can do it for them. The bridegroom is still on the way, and there is still time to replenish our lamps.

The image of today's liturgy is a group - community  - holding high torches aflame with hope. Our readings today provide our parish community, our school community, and every other community to recognise our countless private and public acts of kindness to others that have burned brightly as torches of hope to others. Sunday Eucharist is a time to replenish our lamps.

"Forewarned or forearmed" is a popular saying, especially during times of battles and emergencies. In our day to day life, many such situations arise, but we ignore them thinking we know better. We know the traffic rules, and we choose to act otherwise and get into trouble. The bridesmaids know that the bridegroom will come at any time in the night, but still, some did not prepare themselves and ignored the importance of the occasion. Hence, they paid the price. God has given us freedom to evaluate our lives, so make the best use of it for ourselves and others.

Our watchfulbess should be a daily thing. Keep vigil of your marriage. A separation/divorce with each other's knowledge caused by non-vigilalance. Students should keep vigilant of their studies to avoid failure in their future examination. Keep vigil of your faith. Vigilance is needed in seeking God and one another. A wise person lives each day in the light of Christ's teachings and welcomes him when He knocks at our doors.

May God grant us true wisdom to be always ready so that His coming will meet us always prepared through Christ our Lord. Amen.