Readings
32nd Sunday in Ordinary TimeWisdom 6: 12-15; Psalm 63: 2-8; 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; Matthew 25: 1-13
Homily Theme
Truly Wise
This Sunday the theme that speaks loudest to me, and hopefully to you, is Wisdom. In the first reading, from the Book of Wisdom we are encouraged to seek it. And in the Gospel, we have an illustration from Jesus of those who are truly wise: of the ten virgins in the parable, five were foolish and five were wise. The Parable is self explanatory. The foolish ones were unprepared when the bridegroom arrived in the Parable but, at least fifty percent of them were prepared and would be able to enter with the bridegroom when he came. In today’s world, the percentage is much lower. In a recent report, only 30 percent Catholics in the United States attend Sunday Mass regularly and in many of the European Countries, the percentage of those who are practicing the Faith is in single digits. Are they prepared to meet Jesus when He comes to meet them? Do they haveWisdom? Are they truly wise, or are they like the foolish Virgins without oil for their lamps? Is it wise to believe in God and not to worship Him nor keep His Commandments? Is it truly wise to claim to be Catholic and not to accept all the infallible teachings of the Church Jesus founded?
Millions of people think only of this world and this life in it. For them, riches, good health and luxurious living are the ultimate goals. They think they have achieved the purpose of life when they have accumulated many possessions and fine homes to store them in. They judge themselves to have been truly wise when they have achieved it all. For others, to be truly wise is to have many letters after your name from a prestigious University. But what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and then to suffer the loss of his soul?
I am absolutely sure of two things: one day I will die and I don’t know when it will be. Everyday millions of people die suddenly and without any warning. Just read the death notices in your local newspaper. I am sure there is somebody your age there. How many of us are prepared to meet Jesus if He were to come today? Would He catch us sleeping with no oil in our lamps? Jesus has told us He will come like a thief in the night, when we least expect Him. Are we ready?
So what is the truly wise thing to do? If you have been away from the Church, come home, go to confession and receive absolution. Put God first in your life by daily prayer and regular reception of the Sacraments. Make sure you have the oil of sanctifying grace in your lamps and when He comes you can be like the five wise virgins and enter the wedding banquet with Him. That is the real purpose of life and when we realize it, we will be truly wise.