Gospel Reflection Nov 8 – Fr. Carter
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 25:1-13
Gospel:
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.”
Gospel Reflection:
In this Sunday’s Gospel, our Lord gives us the parable of the wise and the foolish virgins. They all came to welcome the bridegroom, but only five were wise and brought oil for their lamps. The other five were foolish and unprepared. When the bridegroom finally arrived, only those who were ready entered the wedding feast.
The burning flame of the lamp reminds us of our faith, while the oil reminds us of the grace of God which we must faithfully preserve. Even our Lord called the Apostles away with Him to pray and rest, reminding us that we too must continually replenish our spiritual lamps. It is not enough to call ourselves Christians or to say that we believe. Our faith must be living… expressed through prayer, the Sacraments, charity, repentance, and obedience to God’s commandments.
The most sobering words in this Gospel are: “I do not know you.” Jesus reminds us that our earthly life is a time of preparation for eternity. We do not know when the Lord will call us from this world. Therefore, we must not presume that there will always be another opportunity to repent, to pray, or to return to God.
The wise virgins also teach us the importance of perseverance. They remained watchful even when the bridegroom seemed delayed. So too, we must remain faithful when God seems distant, when our prayers appear unanswered, or when life becomes difficult. Fidelity is proved not only in moments of consolation, but also in patient perseverance.
Let us therefore keep the lamp of faith burning brightly. Let us remain close to Christ, frequent the Sacraments, seek forgiveness when we fall, and persevere in prayer. Let us live each day prepared to meet the Lord, so that when the Bridegroom comes, we may enter with Him into the eternal wedding feast of Heaven.
Fr. T.A. Carter