THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Wisdom 6: 12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; Matthew 25: 1-13
(Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah)
The choice of Wisdom today is dictated by its relationship with the Gospel reading. The Book of Wisdom, attributed to Solomon, was composed sometime in the first half of the first century before Christ by an anonymous Jewish author in Alexandria, Egypt. It is thus the last of the Old Testament scriptures to be written. Today's selection is part of a section in which Solomon is, purportedly, giving advice to other rulers ("Hear, therefore, kings, and understand," 6:1). He tells them to seek Wisdom, and they will not be disappointed ("She is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her," v. 12). In fact, Wisdom herself seeks out those who are looking for her ("she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her," v. 16). There are two ideas here: the notion of vigilance for one who comes and the idea of actively seeking out the good. Both are important recurring themes of Jewish and Christian eschatology.
The parable in today's Gospel is unique to Matthew. In its earliest form, it was probably a simple story that Jesus told to reinforce the fact that some are ready to accept the reign of God and others are not. In the course of its oral transmission by the Christian community and in Matthew's use of it in the plan of his Gospel, the parable has been highly allegorized and given a strong eschatological orientation. The wedding feast has become the messianic banquet; the coming of the Bridegroom (Christ) represents the Parousia with its sudden, unexpected quality, and the wise and foolish virgins could be Christians and Jews or perhaps vigilant and lax members of Matthew's community. In its present form, the parable is a strong statement warning of the importance of vigilance, perseverance in prayerful watchfulness, and keeping a living state of readiness for the Lord's coming.
Our Gospel today is talking about the parable of the ten bridesmaids –five are wise, and the other five are foolish who are watching and waiting for the arrival of the Bridegroom. The ritual requires the bridesmaids to escort the Bridegroom to the wedding celebration. But the Bridegroom comes late. Actually, all of them fell asleep, but the other five were wise enough to make preparations; they were alert. The main lesson that Jesus gives us today is to be alert. We must keep the flame of faith alive in our hearts. This flame is lit with the oil of charity and prayer; charity performed through and for the love of God. It was a great honor for the bridesmaids to be chosen for the bridal party, but not all of them were ready when the Bridegroom came. Their lamps were going out of oil.
The Bible often uses the symbol of a Bride and Bridegroom to symbolize the love between God and his people; between Christ and his Church. As a Bride becomes one flesh with her Bridegroom, so Christ, the Divine Bridegroom, becomes one with his Church. He sacrifices himself for her, even to the point of offering his life for hers. All the members of the Church form part of that Mystical Body. In this Gospel the Church is also symbolized by the whole bridal party. We are reminded of what Christ says in another Gospel passage that many are called, but few are chosen. (cf. Mt. 22, 14) The Gospel reminds us that we are not saved automatically simply by being members of the Church. Unless we are striving for holiness, we can't hope to enter the Kingdom of God.
What Jesus is telling us in this parable is to: "Keep your eyes open, for you do not know the day or the hour when the Lord will come," in other words, we should prepare for His coming in us. First, we are supposed to be alert and prepared for Christ's coming at the midnight of our lives or when we die. The day of our death is not a day of doom. Rather, it is the day of joy because we can see God face to face. Second, we are supposed to be alert and prepared for Christ's arrival every day of our lives. He comes to us in the things we do, in what happens to us, and in the people we meet. Yet we are often insensitive to His presence. Third, how do we develop a sense of preparation? The answer is by praying. To pray does not mean we neglect our work to pray, but rather that we pause occasionally to pay attention to the Lord.
Let us open our eyes and see that we have so many things to prepare. Let us open our eyes and hear what God wills for us and what others want from us.
