Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sr. Barbara Barry, SNDdeN
Matthew 25: 1-13
Today’s gospel comes from a section of Matthew’s gospel called The Sermon on the End. It seems to be for the disciples and not the random crowds that follow Jesus. The disciples are trying to put all the pieces together. This man, Jesus, challenges many of the practices of the Jewish faith in his day. He emphasizes the messages of the prophets and yet he doesn’t seem to be the political “savior” that many were expecting. He preaches a kingdom of love, compassion and peace. At the same time Jesus is realistic about the human condition and nature. There are wars among nations and natural disasters that cause death and destruction. And there are women and men who choose God’s ways and those who don’t.
Perhaps the greatest gift we have as human beings is free will. God’s desire for us is to live in peace, to be compassionate toward one another, and to have life in abundance. This way of life is not forced upon us. It is a choice. Today’s parable tells us of ten virgins, some who listen to the Word and live by it and some who don’t commit to the vision of the Beloved Community. Some are ready for the final days and some are not.
As we come to the last weeks of the liturgical year, let us remember that it is our daily choices that prepare us for the “end days” and that God’s desire for each of us to choose wisely.
Matthew 25: 1-13
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’
While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’
Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Meet Sister Barbara Barry SNDdeN
