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1. Wisdom
6:12-16
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1 Thessalonians
4: 13-18
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Gospel:
Matthew 25: 1-13
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" Lamp Without
Oil is Dead"
Once upon a time it
happened that the sparrow overheard from the squirrel up the tree that the sky
was falling. Greatly disturbed by the news, the sparrow flew from its
comfortable nest to spread the news. The cow, the dogs, the cats and all the
members of the animal kingdom were simply incredulous. They dismissed the
sparrow's tale as purely hearsay and therefore untrue.
Finally, dejected and
frustrated and convinced that the animals would not cooperate, the sparrow lay
on its back and started to raise its legs up towards the sky. A wise man
happened to be passing by and seeing the creature in an usual stance, inquired,
" my little friend, what is wrong with you?" The sparrow replied:
" Oh, dear sir, haven't you heard that the sky is falling? I am here to
support the weight of the sky should it fall." The wise man could not help
but to smile and said: " But with
your frail bodies, how could you possibly support the sky?" " We do
what we can, we do what we can," said the sparrow.
Our gospel 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 that they made preparation, they were
alert.
This parable, found
only in Matthew's Gospel, probably served as a warning to early Christians who
hoped for a speedy return of the Savior. Matthew is telling them that the
return of the Lord may be delayed beyond their expectation and that they
should, therefore, prepare for the long wait by providing enough oil for their
lamps. Many details of the parable make good sense when seen against the
framework of this principal theme. The bridegroom is Christ. The bride is the
church ( Revelation 22:17). The ten bridesmaids are the totality of the members
of the church. The lamps, which all the bridesmaids had, could represent faith
which all Christians have. The oil, which some of them had and others did not ,
would then represent good works. A lamp without oil is like faith without good
works- dead and useless ( James 2:17)
We can ask ourselves
this question that is Matthew's message to his fellow Christians still relevant
to the Christians of our time? Very much so! As we draw close to the end of the
liturgical year, the church, through the gospel, invites us to contemplate the
end- the end of our live and the end of the world. The way to prepare for the
end is not to live in fear and anxiety, or to go after prophets and visionaries
that claim to have access to God's secret calendar of how and when that will
be, we do not know for sure. How then is the wise Christian to prepare for the
end- times? Today's parable gives us the answer: The best way to prepare for
the end is to follow the example of the wise virgins. The wise virgins took
enough oil to keep the lamps burning. In the same way we should engage and
persevere in good works to keep our faith alive. That is the best way to make
ourselves ready and prepare for the Lord, no matter when the Lord chooses to
come.
0 Response to "HOMILY FOR THE 32nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A"
Chapisha Maoni