32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
My dear parishioners.
God Is Good!!! All the Time!!! And All the Time !!! God Is Good!!!
With elegant wording and finely crafted verses, this book urges readers to seek the Lord God above all else. The opening and closing chapters explore the many advantages enjoyed by people who place the highest value on service to God; its central chapters (Wis 6–9) portray wisdom as God’s special gift. Throughout the book, wisdom is portrayed in feminine terms. One reason for this is that the word has feminine termination in Greek. But also, wisdom is typically presented in biblical imagery as the perfect partner for man.
Matthew’s story of the wise and foolish virgins is part of the eschatological discourse that makes up this Gospel (Mt 24–25). It contains some allegorical elements but they are limited. The focus of these chapters is on the second coming of the Son of Man and the apparent delay of that event taking place. This delay should not be met with diminished enthusiasm and lack of preparation. One must be ready at all times, because one knows not the day nor the hour.
Wise and foolish. The setting of this story is 10 virgins awaiting the return of the bridegroom from a wedding feast. Five are considered foolish because they did not prepare for the delay in the bridegroom’s return and thus did not have enough oil for their lamps to last through the night. The five wise virgins were well prepared. Some see these virgins allegorically representing the disciples or other believers.
The bridegroom is delayed. The bridegroom did not return at the time expected. Those awaiting him allowed themselves to fall asleep. When the bridegroom did finally arrive, there was much consternation since only the wise virgins were able to light their lamps and go out to meet the returning bridegroom. The foolish virgins had no oil and sought help from the wise ones, but their request was refused. Some see this oil as being allegorical for good works and personal responsibility. These are not things that are transferable.
The bridegroom arrives. Finally, the bridegroom arrives and the wise virgins are ready to meet him with lamps burning. All who are ready go into the wedding feast and the door is locked behind them. The foolish virgins are not included because they were not prepared and had gone off in search of oil. When they returned, they find the door locked. Their pleas to have the door opened for them go unheeded. The bridegroom claims not to know the foolish virgins. Then comes the final warning, “Stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” The bridegroom issuing this warning could allegorically represent God, or more likely, Jesus. The point is clear. All followers of Jesus must be constantly prepared for his promised return. Live each day prepared for it to be the final one.
Excerpts from “Sunday Homily Helps”, is used by permission of Franciscan Media. www.FranciscanMedia.org. All rights reserved
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Aloysius