Walking with Jesus: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, November 12, 2023

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

If we are active in the mode of Being Prepared, we continue to learn every day of our lives. I wonder if the writer of Be Prepared from The Lion King had read today’s gospel of the foolish and wise virgins preparing for a wedding. Every adult who observes this wonderful scene may have thought, “that’s great advice … I hope my kids are listening.” Jesus’ message is the same: Am I listening? Here is a portion of the lyrics of Be Prepared:

I know that your powers of retention
Are as wet as a warthog's backside
But — thick as you are — pay attention!
My words are a matter of pride

It's clear from your vacant expressions
The lights are not all on upstairs
But we're talking kings and successions
Even you can't be caught unawares!

So prepare for the chance of a lifetime ...

As we approach the end of the Church year (Feast of Christ the King 11/26/23), the readings express the need to be prepared to meet the Lord at His Second Coming and, even more urgently, to be aware daily of God’s presence in each of our lives. Faith is meant to be validated not as a one-time heroic deed but as a whole way of life. How am I living my belief in God and His command to live a life of love? In later verses Matthew’s Gospel tells how Jesus appears in the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick or imprisoned. Coupled with last week's, these readings are a major sermon preparing for the final days leading up to the second coming of Christ. Matthew uses the word THEN referring to the time of the parousia. This is what the kingdom of heaven will be like when that event happens. Our daily routines and lives can cause us to doze off, unaware of the deeper meaning of each of our lives:

We are always to be present for God. He is leading us, loving us, preparing us for heaven.

The book of Wisdom’s author traditionally is King Solomon. It is important to know that early in his reign Solomon asked God for help so that he could rule wisely over God’s people [1 Kings 3:5-14]. He passed the advice on to future rulers: Put God first in their lives; if they do, they will rule wisely. Jesus continues this instruction, admonishing all who follow Him to also put God first and to love all people God places there, known and unknown, and all in need. Solomon expounds on today’s advice stating that wisdom is a gift from God acquired from prayer. He continues that this wisdom can be “readily perceived” and “hastens to make herself known” to those who make an effort to love, long for and listen to her (God's grace's) help and strength.

Paul insistently reminds the Thessalonians that Jesus has overcome death. They know those followers of Jesus who have died are with Him. What about themselves? He responds that God can be counted on — God doesn’t lie — Jesus said He is preparing a place for all who follow Him and all who are loving. In the end, “we who are alive, who are left, will … meet the Lord. Thus we shall always be with the Lord.”  [1 Thessalonians 4:18] God is always with us; are we relying on Him? Are we living love?

Jesus' Gospel parable about the ten virgins has only one point which we could paraphrase as being prepared for death. Matthew’s extended allegory gives elements that are symbolic and significant. The bridegroom is Jesus Himself. The ten virgins are the waiting Christian community. Jesus’ coming is at the end of life or the end of the world … whichever comes first. The delay is the waiting time; the suddenness of the coming is the unpredictability of the end. The rejection of the foolish virgins is their rejection at the Last Judgment because they are not ready. To Matthew’s readers, it is a reminder to continue to respond to the teachings of Jesus. To let those who fail to follow him now know what the Last Judgment has in store for them.

Hence the message: Be always prepared. Live a life of holiness in readiness and love, for we never know when the end is coming. Popular Psychologist Rolo May reports that loneliness, boredom and emptiness are constant complaints he hears from his patients. Do they search for meaning in Jesus’ words and in God’s love, care, mercy and forgiveness that are available to all? Our amazing hope of everlasting happiness is the great proof of God’s love for us.

So I reflect on:

• I spend time reflecting on my emotions and feelings, looking toward my end days and the Last Judgment.
• When I look at this review of my life’s activities, how am I aware of Jesus’ presence? What is it like? Does it bring peace and comfort? It did to the apostles, when they saw Jesus in the Upper Room after the Resurrection.

Sacred Space 2023 states:

“The gospel helps us to focus on the here and now. It helps us to learn to live totally in the present, to seek and find God there. If we can do that, then all the rest will take care of itself. Whether the Groom arrives early or late, it will not matter as he has been constantly part of my everyday life.”