LET YOUR LAMPS BE BURNING BRIGHTLY

Homily for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Scriptural Texts: Wisdom 6:12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13

 

We are gradually approaching the end of the calendar and liturgical years, and the Gospel reading of this thirty-second Sunday aligns with this consciousness by emphasizing the importance of being spiritually ready for the culmination of time. The culmination of time will be the second coming of Christ and Jesus uses the parable of the ten virgins to teach us lessons on the importance of vigilance and preparedness in anticipation of the coming of the Bridegroom, symbolizing the return of Christ in glory.

In the parable, ten virgins took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13). Five were wise, bringing extra oil for their lamps, while the other five were foolish, taking only their lamps. As they waited for the bridegroom’s arrival, they all fell asleep. At midnight, a cry announced the arrival of the bridegroom. The virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones, realizing they were running out of oil, asked the wise virgins for some. However, the wise virgins refused, suggesting that there might not be enough for all of them and advising the foolish virgins to go and buy more oil. While the foolish virgins went to buy oil, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.

This parable speaks directly to the reality of our lives. As Christians, we are a pilgrim people, journeying toward the eschatological banquet, the heavenly feast prepared by the Bridegroom for his Bride, the Church. The virgins represent all the believers. The lamps symbolize our faith, the divine light within us that guides our journey. The oil in the lamps represents the abundance of grace, the fruits of a life lived in constant communion with God. The lamps, symbolic of our faith, are meant to be lit and burning brightly as we await the arrival of the Bridegroom - Christ himself.

The distinction between the wise and the foolish virgins lies not in the possession of lamps, but in the foresight to bring extra oil. The wise virgins exemplify spiritual prudence - they are prepared for the unexpected delay in the bridegroom’s arrival. In our lives, the extra oil signifies the depth of our relationship with God, sustained through prayer, virtue, and a resilient faith. The foolish virgins, lacking the extra oil, represent those who postpone their spiritual preparedness. Their plea for oil from the wise virgins echoes the urgency that can arise in our lives when we realize our faith needs replenishing. The lesson is clear: procrastination in matters of faith can lead to missed opportunities and exclusion from the joyous feast.

The midnight cry announcing the arrival of the bridegroom underscores the unpredictability of divine timing. It challenges us to be vigilant, always ready for the Lord’s coming. This echoes Jesus’ earlier words, “Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13). Our faith journey is not a sprint but a marathon, demanding sustained vigilance. The closed door symbolizes the moment when the opportunity for preparedness ceases.

In order to be prepared and vigilant for the coming of the Bridegroom, we need the virtue of wisdom just like the five wise virgins. In the first reading (Wisdom 6:12-16), we hear the resounding call of Wisdom herself. Wisdom is described as a resplendent light, a reflection of eternal light, and a mirror of God's goodness. The pursuit of Wisdom is not merely an intellectual exercise but a journey toward divine understanding. This Wisdom, transcendent and divine, beckons us to seek her with ardor, for in her embrace, we find the path to righteousness.

Finally, as we contemplate this parable, let us examine our own lamps of faith. Are they well-stocked with the oil of prayer, love, and good works? Are we living in anticipation of the bridegroom’s coming, or have we allowed our lamps to flicker? May this parable inspire us to embark on a journey of continuous spiritual preparedness. Let us cultivate the wisdom to keep our lamps burning brightly, recognizing that our faith is not a static possession but a living flame that requires our intentional care.