Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

My dear parishioners,

 

God is Good!!!  All the time!!!  And all the time!!!  God is Good!!!

 

Tradition attributes this book to King Solomon. Early in his reign, he asked God’s help to rule wisely over God’s people (1 Kings 3:5–14). Appropriately, this book’s opening line addresses those who also would rule on this earth. It advises them to put God first in their lives, thus assuring they, too, will rule wisely. Up to this point in the book, the author has elevated the lives of God’s wise servants over fools, who limit their focus to this world only. The closing chapters of Wisdom return to this theme with examples drawn from Israel’s exodus from Egypt (10–19). The book’s center, from which this reading comes, teaches that wisdom is a gift from God acquired through prayer.

 

Today’s Gospel comes from the fifth discourse of Matthew’s Gospel that comprises a lengthy  eschatological sermon (24:1—25:46). A major emphasis in this sermon is being prepared for the final days leading up to the second coming of Christ. The current story is unique to Matthew. It begins with the word Then, referring to the time of the parousia. This is what the kingdom of heaven will be like when that event happens.

 

10 virgins. The story begins with a description of 10 virgins. The fact that they are virgins is irrelevant to the story. What is important is that five of the virgins are foolish, and five are wise. The setting of the story is a wedding feast, and the 10 virgins go out to meet the bridegroom. Five virgins are foolish because they did not bring oil for their lamps. The wise virgins have brought flasks of oil for their lamps. Allegorically the bridegroom represents Christ whose parousia is delayed. The oil symbolizes good works; together the ten virgins signify members of the Church.

 

The bridegroom is delayed. The drama of the story unfolds around the long delay the bridegroom takes in arriving. All of the virgins became drowsy and fell asleep. The bridegroom eventually shows up at midnight. The wise virgins quickly trimmed their lamps, but the foolish virgins have not brought enough oil to last. While they are away attempting to procure more oil, the bridegroom arrives. After he and the wise virgins enter into the wedding feast, the door is locked. The door is locked. When the foolish virgins finally arrive at the wedding feast, they discover that they have been locked out. They plead with the bridegroom (Lord, Lord) to be admitted, but they are refused. The bridegroom claims not to know them. The final verse provides a moral to the story. Stay awake because you know neither the day nor the hour. As an allegory this story describes the challenges the early Church had to face while awaiting the return of the Lord. The longer the delay, the less urgency many felt in being prepared. Matthew’s message is to be constantly prepared through good works. Some in the Church were foolishly lessening their concerns over the parousia. The wise, on the other hand, remained constantly prepared.

 

Excerpts from “Sunday Homily Helps”, is used by permission of Franciscan Media. www.FranciscanMedia.org.©2023. All rights reserved

 

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Aloysius