Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Science is gaining extraordinary insight into the cosmos in which we live. The Hubble telescope gives us fantastic images of worlds, stars, and galaxies hundred of million, even billions of light years away, images of universes and suns being born and dying. Scientists listen to ultra sound waves rippling through space containing the first heart beat from creation. As the search the heavens they perceive the reality that all that exists out there once had a beginning and one day will come to an end.
That big picture, that notion that all existence is limited and finite escapes us for the most part as we go about our daily lives. Sure, we may see NOVA or a science fiction movie that depicts the end of the world. But, the thought that the days of our lives and those of our loved ones and friends are numbered is something that gets overshadowed by our need to provide for today. Let’s face it! Today we are confronted with numerous challenges that consume our time, energy and resources. There is little desire or capacity to consider that the days of our lives are numbered.
We are living through extraordinary times. People are dying from a virus for which there is currently no cure. People who had planned to be on vacation, visiting friends and relatives for Thanksgiving and Christmas, who had things to do, weddings and anniversaries to attend, people to see… good things, all good things, planned for events in advance and written them down in their calendars, have had these plans canceled. They have succumbed to this dreadful virus. Many people now are dying alone and alienated from everyone they loved and who loved them in return. They didn’t plan it; it just happed. Hopefully, some were prudent and stored up treasures in heaven in anticipation of the brevity of their lives. Others, without doubt, made no such provision.
When it comes to the things of this world, we put much effort into planning how to acquire the things we want. We work, we save, we make sacrifices to get them. That’s fine! There is nothing wrong with possessions. The problem is not that we own them but when they “own” us; when they become the center of our lives to the exclusion of other “important” needs and responsibilities.
In today’s gospel, St. Matthew presents an image whereby He contrasts the two groups of Virgins: those who have thoughtfully planned for and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Bridegroom, and those whose plans were incomplete and inadequate. Those Virgins who needed to run off and buy oil to welcome the Bridegroom are exposed for failing to anticipate and adequately prepare for when the Guest of Honor appeared. The message here is don’t be caught off guard for that which we should be prepared.
Our reading from the Book of Wisdom is our guide on how to prepare ourselves for an eventuality we will all face: that last moment of our lives, when this world fades away and we stand on the edge of the life to come. By befriending and loving wisdom, by keeping vigil with her and following her ways we keep our spiritual goal remains before us as we journey through this life. Death will not catch us unprepared; Wisdom will remind us to store up treasures in heaven so that we will be ready when the Bridegroom calls us to share His Wedding Banquet.
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
Image credit: Image © Justinen Creative Goodsalt.com
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