Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wisdom 6: 12 - 16;
1 Thessalonians 4: 13 - 18;
Matthew 25: 1-13;
A wise parish priest (indeed, is there any other kind'?) once remarked that some of his parishioners thought that he walked on water, while some thought that he wouldn't have the sense to come in out of the rain. But the majority couldn't have cared less ... as long as he didn't keep them too long at Mass!
The ancient writer of today's first reading tells us that wisdom is to be found by those who look for her - "Watch for her early, and you will have no trouble; you will find her sitting at your gates." When St. Paul eventually discovered the Lord and learned His ways, he set about telling the whole world about that wisdom he had found, calling Jesus "the power and wisdom of God." He goes on to say that God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom; that His weakness is stronger than human strength; His ways are different from ours.
Today he tells the Thessalonian Christians that Christ's death and resurrection have changed everything for us - we now possess a knowledge and understanding which mean that we are called to live differently. Now we can live lives which are bright with the hope of immortality - " Lord, for Your faithful people, life is changed, not ended; when the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death, we gain an everlasting dwelling place in Heaven."
As we approach the end of the Church's year, the readings begin to anticipate the end time when Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead. He uses today's parable to illustrate His call for preparation, personal responsibility and free choice. We're used to the bride being late; but in Jewish times the groom went to the bride's house to collect her, and then all made their way in procession to the wedding ceremony. There was no telling when that might be, so everyone simply got ready and waited. And as darkness fell, lamps were needed. So He tells His disciples to think wisely and to plan ahead.
Foresight is a vital part of wisdom. To be a bridesmaid and have a lamp is not enough. Reserves of oil are needed for the long and unexpected wait - as anyone who's been to a hospital emergency department knows. And when I was teaching my friends to drive, I always warned them to expect the unexpected.
In the same way, Jesus calls us to stay awake, because we don't know when He will come. But if we do what we're supposed to do more or less conscientiously, and do it to the best of our ability, then we'll have no need to fear His coming. But if we do fear that coming, then it might well mean that there's something in my lifestyle which does require changing. The Gospel asks us to prepare for our eternal future by increasing our own awareness of the ordinary things which occur in our lives. We all have a tendency to put things off until tomorrow, but if we sin, then it's best to say sorry as soon as we realise it. Then, when God calls, we're ready to meet Him.
Real wisdom sometimes consists in doing the human thing rather than the religious one - what does your conscience tell you about leaving a sick child on its own to come to Mass? What's the point in coming to Mass and praying for my neighbour's soul if I can't pass the time of day with him - or her!?
So am I prepared? Or do I lead a life with compartments untouched by the message of Gospel? If we wish to be fully prepared, then we've got to be ready to go that extra mile for others, just as the wise bridesmaids took an extra flask of oil. We're not know-alls; we can't pretend to have a superior knowledge of life … wisdom is a gift which embraces others, and teaches us humility at the same time So let's aspire to be wise every day. Let's ask for the wisdom to understand one another, and encourage one another. Only then can we begin to transform our world ... truly evangelise, and brighten up everything around us as well!