KEEP YOUR LAMPS BURNING
Homily for the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch Wisdom 6:12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13. One of the greatest mistakes we can make in life is to assume that there will always be another opportunity to do what we ought to do today. We postpone important decisions, neglect relationships and sometimes take our spiritual lives for granted, as though we have unlimited time. Today’s Gospel challenges this attitude by reminding us that readiness for the Lord’s coming cannot be postponed. In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells the parable of ten bridesmaids who take their lamps and go out to meet the bridegroom. Five are wise and take extra oil, while the other five are foolish and bring no reserve. When the bridegroom is delayed, they all become drowsy and fall asleep. At midnight, the announcement comes that he is approaching. The wise bridesmaids are prepared, but the foolish ones discover that their lamps are going out (Mt 25:1-13). An im...
