Reflection on the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time year A. Wis 6:12-16; Ps 63, 1 Thes 4:13-18; Mt 25, 1-13.
Meeting with the bridegroom
As we are heading toward the end of the liturgical year, the Church continues to call her spiritual children to reflect daily on the “four last things” : Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell (CCC, 12 ; #1020 -1042). Death is the separation of man’s mortal body and man’s immortal soul as a result of original sin. After death, each person will be judged by God and based on his conduct, he will go either to hell or to heaven. Hell is the eternal state of torment and despair prepared for those who in this life have freely rejected God and the happiness which God offers. Opposed to hell, there is heaven, the eternal state of perfect happiness resulting from face-to-face with God as the reward of those who have served God throughout their lives. Jesus, the bridegroom, died so that we can be there with him in heaven forever. But we do not know either the day nor the hour when the bridegroom will come. Are we ready to meet with the bridegroom in heaven?
In this passage of the Gospel of Mathiew, Jesus gives us the parable of the ten virgins. Among them, five (5) are wise because they made provisions for the extra oil. This means utilised, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, their faith, the love and the grace of God for the service of God’s kingdom. They set their priority right. We must do the same. That is the true oil that leads to heaven. The five (5) others were foolish probably because they spent their abilities, resources and time focusing on non-essentials. All of them were aware that in the context of the Jewish wedding in Palestine of the first century, the bridegroom would always come at an unexpected time. So we should always be “AWAKE”.
This parable has first to do with the people in the time of Jesus. They knew about the coming of the Messiah but when Jesus, The Messiah came, they rejected him. They were unprepared.
This parable is told for a timeless generation. It speaks of our individual death and the second coming of the Son of Man can catch us unprepared. Paul tells us that “Christ himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of trumpet of God” (1Thessalonians 4:16) The time of death still remains very unpredictable. Always ready to meet with the bridegroom. For the one who fails to prepare prepares to fail. According to our first reading, wisdom is the key to faithful religion and watchfulness the key to wisdom. Be watchful! Saty always prepared!
In today’s parable, the refusal of the wise virgins to share their oil with the foolish ones is in no way a lack of charity, but it simply means that there are things people cannot do on our behalf, and things that we cannot do on behalf of others. Our relationship with God is personal and unique. No parent, spouse, no child, no priest, nobody can believe on behalf of others. We cannot go for confessions on behalf of others, or receive the sacraments on their behalf. Martin King Junior says: “You are going to die alone. You had better believe alone” so to meet with the bridegroom in heaven. Get ready by living a good life, having enough oil on the lamp of your soul, pray, go to confessions, center your life in the eucharist, stay close to Mary, meditate on God’s word, so as to get into the heavenly banquet!
FR. G. R. BIDZOGO SAC