Walking with Jesus: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wisdom 6:12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13

I heard a great story from Pope Francis’ audience in St. Peter’s Square on April 9, 2014, that helps to understand Jesus’ parable about being ready for God’s kingdom. He was presenting a series of teachings on the Holy Spirit and the gift of wisdom. His prepared text in front of him, he stopped, looked at the crowd and, as teachers often do, threw out a question: “Imagine a mother running around after her children all day, attending to their every need. Eventually the mother gets tired, loses her patience, and starts scolding her child. Is that wisdom?” The crowd was stunned. Was that a direct question to them? Why would he ask their opinion? What was he getting at? Even so, what answer did he want? As expected, no one answered. The Pope again posed the question: “… scolding children — I ask you — is that wisdom? What do you say: Is this wisdom or not?”

Ask yourself the question. How would you respond?

Still no one responded, so the Pope gave his own answer: “NO!” Then the Pope began contrasting wisdom with scolding: Wisdom happens when a tired mother takes her child gently aside, addressing the child patiently and lovingly. This is what the wisdom of God looks like. He said, “Wisdom is precisely this: It is the grace of being able to see everything with the eyes of God. This is wisdom.” Do I have this same wisdom? Do I see God as God is? Do I see the world as God sees the world? Do I see myself as God sees me? Do I see others as God sees others? Do I live accordingly?

So far in the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, the author has contrasted the future destiny of people who live by wisdom with those who dismiss it. Now the author is telling his readers, and us, that God is the one who guides us to our salvation. Am I listening? The author uses feminine terms because, in Greek, the word “wisdom” is in the feminine gender. He spells out that wisdom is not at all elusive for those who see it. It represents God’s saving grace. God always takes the initiative because of His universal plan for all humanity to be in heaven with Him. The reading describes Him as “sitting at the gate,” waiting for anyone seeking Him. God is constantly revealing Himself to us: “(Wisdom-God) … is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.” [Wisdom 6:12] So the bottom line coming from God is that those who seek and follow His teaching are wise ... the “righteous” ... and those who abandon and give up God’s teaching will remain foolish and therefore “unrighteous.”

Paul is urging his readers not to live in the darkness of sin and ignorance. God will come when God has planned; not as we would plan it or like to have it happen. The Thessalonians were apparently concerned that those who had died before Christ’s second coming would be forgotten and never reach eternity. Paul uses the terms “present age” and “the coming age of God.” He is assuring that, dead or alive, they are in Christ: Those who live Jesus' teachings and love and all the commandments are “in Christ” and will be with Him forever in heaven. Am I loving and living accordingly?

Scholars have different interpretations about the allegorical elements in the Gospel. Even though it refers to Christ’s second coming, not everything here is symbolic; it does contain definite points of practical wisdom. Wise people are always prepared for future events while foolish ones do not make such preparations. Since the second coming had not yet happened, people had lost their expectation of it and let go of the intensity of their preparation. Matthew shares that Jesus is saying this approach is very dangerous. The five wise women send a clear message defining wisdom as the kingdom of God unfolds in our midst. They don’t just say that they want to change; they prepare for it, and when the Lord comes to them they embrace this new future.

For those before us and ourselves, living the life of love and following the commandments means that we will have struggles and carry many crosses as we continue to be followers of Christ. Connections newsletter puts it this way. “Our inability to place the common good before our own, our failure to see how our actions affect others, our refusal to accept responsibility for one another extinguishes the light of hope that we thought would never go out.” Christ warns us not to fall into the trap that we have plenty of time to change our lives.

So I reflect on:

• As I prepare for “the end,” how do I keep a healthy balance between “holy fear” and “graced confidence?” Which way am I leaning now?
• Should the “wise” virgins give some of their oil to the “foolish” ones? Should God give everyone an “A” on the final exam? Why or why not?
  

Sacred Space 2020 states:

“This is a story about being prepared. It’s also a story about each person being responsible for herself. When have I relied too much on the spirituality or wisdom of others?  In what area of my life does Jesus want me to take responsibility for my own lamp?

“‘Keep awake’: This is the invitation we meet so often in the Gospels. We are not to be afraid of the Lord’s coming but to be awake so that we can welcome Him when He arrives. I pray for the grace of a heart that is not distracted, fully alive to Jesus’ presence in my world.”