The groom is here, come out and greet him

Wis. 6:12-16, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, Mt. 25:1-13. On this Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, the Church invites us to grow in the virtue of perseverance. Today's first reading presents us with the poetic personification of Wisdom, who searches for those who are attentive and open, “She” is beautiful and makes “herself” known easily. Wisdom’s readiness to manifest and communicate herself to those who are vigilant prefigures the attitude of readiness Jesus describes in today's Gospel. All who are in search of guidance and help from God will find them. Jesus teaches us using the image of five wise bridesmaids and five who are foolish. The overriding point of the parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids is not so much about doing good works, possessing fervour or even faith, as important as all of these are, the idea of ongoing, permanent fidelity to God and readiness is emphasised.

The cry that the bridesmaids heard at midnight: “The groom is here! Come out and greet him!” implies that the time of preparation and faithful watching will come to an end. The five unprepared bridesmaids fail in their personal responsibility and no one can really help them, since the decisive moment has already arrived. The importance and seriousness of personal fidelity in the Christian life and the innate dignity of every person cannot be overemphasised. We are all called in Jesus Christ to belong to God, and to respond by a life of sincere obedience to the Lord. Paul reminds the Church in Corinth that: “Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). The desire, hope and the assurance that we shall be with Christ forever should be an inspiration for us in our lives. It should shape our attitudes towards the present and the future, with less emphasis on the past, but of getting on board now and into the unknown, not with dread, but in the trust that God who has brought us this far will be with us as life goes on. Our passing from death to eternal life should not be dreaded, but our heart’s desire and hope as Paul tells us in today's second reading.

May the Lord help us to strive for the great gift of wisdom, not to impress others, but in order to offer something more precious than silver and gold! Amen!! Stay safe and save life, Jesus loves you, happy Sunday!!!