Sunday, November 8, 2020

THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

"The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort.
You were made for greatness."
​~ Pope Benedict XVI

​As human as we are the end of our existence on this planet always stares at our face. It’s an indispensable circumstance no one has power or choice over. But the obvious concern is our readiness and the preparations for that end. The non believers  strongly posit that death ends our life here on earth so no need to worry about judgement and whatever happens to their souls. Due to this conviction they follow the philosophical wisdom of this physical world. 

Where people feel that,  for want of freedom, we do not need religion and morality, do whatever makes you happy, take decisions and make choices without considering the repercussions to your neighbor because it’s your right, family or communal life is no more necessary because my privacy/individualism is the priority, the more you possess or accumulate properties makes you powerful in our world today, the end justifies the means. Enjoy your life here and now, do not worry about tomorrow: there is no life after this life!

But for us Christians death rather is a necessary transition to eternal destination of the Kingdom of God. The philosophical wisdom of the world can not save us but unless we open ourselves up to the divine wisdom. Therefore, a searching, watching, and growing heart is essential for a lively, dynamic faith in God. Our readings are throwing a challenge to us to check whether we are ready for our salvation and entrance into the new life of eternity and how we are preparing for it.

That is why in the first reading the author personified the essence of wisdom to encourage adherents to embrace her. His target audience was the dispersed Jews in Alexandria, in Egypt, around 100 BC. As fellow Jews he inspired them to seek and learn from wisdom. Wisdom is a divine gift which will not elude anyone who seeks her sincerely. By this he motivates that adherence to religious values and principles does not matter the environment and location one finds themselves. This is because God is everywhere. He is universal. What is necessary is conforming to Divine wisdom. Being watchful and open makes you prepare for the next life. Indeed, God willingly reveal Himself, but mysteriously in His own way.

Wisdom makes us search and seek for God and to be with Him after our earthly life. Hence, the Psalmist opines, “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.”

Apostle Paul, in the second reading, exhorts his adherents about the hope of the resurrection in the midst of the immediacy of the parousia (second coming) of Jesus Christ. Obviously, Christ will come again and this world will come to an end so we need to to be vigilant by opening up to the Divine wisdom. 

In our gospel message Jesus Christ gives a parable about the foolish and the wise virgins to illustrate the coming of the Kingdom. The five foolish virgins represent those who do not listen to Divine wisdom and are not prepared for the end of life. The five wise virgins  are the exact opposite of the former. Hence, every Christian needs to be alert and vigilant in their lives always checking whatever they do. There is better life after this transient life. It takes divine wisdom to be there! Just be wise in your choices, decisions, plans, actions and words. Preparation is key.

Stay healthy... Faith over fear... Keep the Faith... 

LET DIVINE WISDOM LEAD...

Fr. Emmanuel