Nov 8, 2020 - 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Wis 6:12-16; 1 Thes 4:13-18; Mt 25:1-13)

The Book of Wisdom, like Proverbs, continually invites us to seek out wisdom. Wisdom is a virtue and a gift. It is not merely a clever way of thinking but encompasses the whole of living, thinking, and deciding in accord with God’s plan. We need to seek wisdom, not because she is lost, but because we are. We need her guidance, and so we must seek her out. She graciously reveals herself to us as we proceed along the “ways,” “the beaten paths,” the stages of human growth that lead to maturity which, here, is life lived wisely. The Psalm reminds us how we seek God; for God our flesh pines and our “souls thirst. In I Thessalonians we are reminded that death comes to visit each of our families. When it happens to those near to us, we can lose hope and feel its awful sting. Paul does not want them to mourn like unbelievers, who do not expect to see their loved ones again. For believers, the dead are merely “sleeping” for a short time. Like the living who wake up each day, they will rise when Christ returns, and all will live together. In Matthew we learn through the parable of the foolish virgins who represent Christians who are not prepared for the Lord’s return. The foolish virgins see that their lamps are going out and presume that the wise will share their oil. The refusal of the wise to do so seems uncharitable and unchristian. But the oil in this passage represents something that cannot be shared; each person must provide it for himself or herself. Some scholars see the oil as symbolizing the righteous deeds of believers, which the foolish virgins have failed to do. Our hope is in the Lord, not in ourselves, yet we participate in our own redemption and spiritual growth by our moral action. We are warned that there will come a time when it’s “too late” to do anything. Those who claim to be his disciples, like the foolish virgins, find themselves, watching the light from their lamps; lamps lit too late – bounce off that door that will never open again.

• Do you know someone who is wise and lives wisely? What is it like to spend time with that person? What qualities attract you to them?
• When situations seem hopeless what scripture or action helps you? Who/what helps you navigate the events/losses?
• Disciples must be about the work that Jesus wants to be doing with them. What things are you being called to do to “increase your oil?”