SUNDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2023
SUNDAY OF THE THIRTY SECOND WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
Wisdom 6:12-16
1Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13
HAVE ENOUGH OIL FOR YOUR LAMP AND KEEP WATCHFUL.
Our Lord Jesus has often admonished us on the need to keep living and working in and with him. Keeping the focus, reminding ourselves on our course, being attentive to the obligations and demands of our salvation. What else would we have cared for in our existence on earth, if not our eternal salvation.
In the readings of this 32nd Sunday of the year A, the church calls us again to reflect on our preparedness, our promptness and all the necessary actions we need to take in order to gain life eternal. And Jesus uses the parable of the wise and foolish virgins to describe for us HOW we need to get ourselves prepared for our eternal salvation.
To be wise, in the context of the wise virgins means to get prepared, to be ready at all times, to think into the future, to acquire all that is necessary for the future, to arm oneself with requisite and necessary tools, impliments and others for use in the future. The wise virgins were regarded as wise because they were prepared to meet their bridegroom. So they had all, the lamps, the oil, and the time. They were patient, serious and ready.
The use of the oil is to keep their lamps burning. The lamp provides light for them. They were not in darkness, but in light. And their light cannot go off since the oil was in abundance, of which they provided for themselves. So they were ready and patiently waiting.
The oil they had and kept for themselves makes the light to glow, burn and give light to their surroundings. What oil do we need for our life to keep burning. The oil of charity, good heart, our generosity, our faith and commitment, our love towards God and neighbour. Yes, we need light around us at all times, not darkness and nor evil. Lamp gives light and shows the way. A burning lamp is a light that is alife for everyone.
Even though the wise virgins had lamps already burning, yet they had extra oil to add, in case the oil in the lamp gets finished. So they were ready, patiently waiting with such oil. So another important and necessary condition for all disciples of Jesus is patience, perseverance and confident provision for the future. We keep walking, keep doing the good, and add extra charity, growing in love and affection. Never stopping, never getting tired and never limiting the acts of love and charity. The greatest evil that can befall us is when we get fatigued by our charitable works and we begin to get irritated, or push people away, or stop being of help to others and we pass over people with scorn and hatred or animosity.
Wisdom gives us the indication that we live and work until we attain our goal. We must not rest on our oasis, or become complacent or fail at any point. Rather, we must be up and doing, ready at all times. It is the quality of wisdom as we read in the first reading, to keep doing. “Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her.”
Wisdom helps us to keep our hope of eternity alife. We are hopeful that life in the future is more abundant, joyful and peaceful. This hope keeps us going, makes us attentive and propels us to keep working and loving. One day our hope will be realized and we shall reign with God in the heavenly places.
Father in heaven, we desire to be present before you at all times. Keep our lights burning. May we never experience darkness, evil or destruction. May our oil never get finished. Make us always charitable, loving to you and all, faithful and hopeful and always prepared for our eternal salvation. Through Christ our Lord
Fr Norbert Uchuno
