32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Wisdom 6:12-16
Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (2b)
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13
November 12, 2023
Jesus presents us with this parable of “ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.”
Are you wise in the ways of the Lord?
The foolish ones did not come prepared. They “brought no oil with them.” They apparently thought their wait would be short and simple.
The five wise ones “brought flasks of oil with their lamps.” They came prepared and committed to wait for the bridegroom.
Are you looking for an easy way to Heaven or are you committed to God for the long haul?
“The bridegroom was long delayed.” They fell asleep. When they were awakened by the news that the bridegroom was coming, the five who were foolish realized they did not have enough oil.
Do you have enough faith to persevere until the Second Coming of Jesus?
The five who were foolish asked the ones who were wise, “Give us some of your oil.” We are called to help one another when we can but at this point, the wise virgins could not help the foolish.
The five who were foolish and, thus, unprepared, went looking for oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom came and they missed out.
Of course, this parable is meant to lead us to ask ourselves if we are ready for the Second Coming.
Paul and his contemporaries thought the Second Coming was going to happen very soon. 2,000 years later it is easy for us to think that since it hasn’t happened yet, there is no hurry. We think we have plenty of time and we put off preparing.
Things in the world are getting worse. Just when we should realize we need to become strong disciples in it for the long haul, people slack off. They don’t prepare themselves. Thus, they will not be ready.
I don’t know when the Second Coming will be.
Jesus tells us of things that will happen first (Matthew 24:3-14).
He speaks of wars that will happen first. How many wars have there been? Presently, we have the war between Ukraine and Russia. We even have war in the Holy Land between Israel and Hamas. Some worry that this war will spread across the Middle East. I wonder if it points to the Second Coming.
Jesus speaks of famines and earthquakes that will happen first. How many people today do not have enough to eat across the world? How many suffer in famine?
Earthquakes…there have been several recently. It seems like there are more and more earthquakes. Could these be a sign that the Second Coming is about to happen?
Jesus says, “You will be hated by all nations because of my name” (Matthew 24:9). How many people tell us we are wrong for our beliefs? How many try to silence us?
Jesus speaks of false prophets that will come. There are people today trying to corrupt what Jesus taught us.
What Jesus said will happen first has happened.
The Second Coming could happen at any moment.
Are you ready?
Will anyone be saved?
Jesus says, “But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.”
Before we ask if we are the ones who will persevere, first we should ask ourselves if we are living today according to what God has taught us.
If we are not living as true disciples of Christ, we need to repent and ask God for the grace to change our ways. When we do this, then we can ask God for even more grace that we might persevere.
Do you know what you need to do to be a true disciple of Jesus? (see my present series of presentations, Made for Discipleship).
How are we to know?
Look at today’s first reading. It comes from the Book of Wisdom. It speaks of the wisdom that God offers us. The Wisdom of God “hastens to make herself known” to us. God’s Wisdom is “resplendent and unfading.” It is “readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.”
The question I ask you is, “Do you seek the wisdom of God?”.
If you don’t, why not? Do you think you know better than God?
The Second Coming could come at any moment.
If you desire the Wisdom of God, how do you seek it out? Do you read the Bible? Do you seek out ways to learn what Jesus asks of you as a disciple? Do you spend time with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration?
In the end, we cannot save ourselves. We are saved by Jesus willingly giving his life for us on the Cross. His Sacrifice is a gift to us.
Most people who identify as Christian would say they want the gift of Jesus’ Crucifixion for us. Do you really open yourself to receiving this gift?
Or is your life too busy to make room to receive what God offers you? Then, how do you expect to be saved?
Jesus wants to save you.
Even if the Second coming doesn’t happen soon, the sooner you turn your life over to Jesus, the sooner you will know his peace in your life. The sooner everyone turns their lives back over to Jesus, the sooner things in the world will get better.
Are you even close to being ready? What sins do you have to confess? What are you holding on to that separates you from Jesus?