Homily Thirty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time (Mt. 25:1-13) “Which Lady Do I Want to Dine With”
Homily Thirty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time (Mt. 25:1-13) “Which Lady Do I Want to Dine With”
Today we hear of five foolish virgins and five wise virgins in the Gospel of Matthew. We also hear a tribute to Lady Wisdom in the Book of Wisdom. Our scriptures challenge us to meditate on what true wisdom is. Perhaps it is an appropriate thing, as we struggle with the difficulties we do. An election controversy hangs in the air. The COVID 19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc in our lives. What are we to think? We are told in our liturgy this weekend that we are to seek wisdom. We are reminded that wisdom is not just being smart. Nor is it about being shrewd. Wisdom is broader and deeper than that. Wisdom is something that we strive for every day of our lives.
Wisdom is often referred to as a feminine figure in the Bible. In the Book of Wisdom, we hear wisdom referred to as Lady Wisdom. In Proverbs 7 we hear perhaps the most succinct description of Lady Wisdom. The writer speaks of two women sitting at the city gates. The city gates were an important spot in any town. At the gate of the city announcements were made, court was convened, meetings were held. People would go the city gates if they wanted to hear the latest news.
We hear of two women who come to the city gates. One is Lady Wisdom. One is Lady Folly. Both offer meals for people to eat. We are told that Lady Folly is fickle. She is inane, she knows nothing. Her water is stolen. No one knows where her bread comes from. Lady Wisdom on the other hand offers understanding. “If you eat of my meal your days will be multiplied and the years of your life increased.” The choice is ours. Do we want to partake of Lady Wisdom’s meal or Lady Folly?
But what is this wisdom that we are offered? The Bible speaks of the pillars of wisdom. The pillars are described in several places. Perhaps the Letter of James (5:13-18) gives the best description of Christianity’s view on this. Again, James draws a contrast. He first describes the attributes that are not based on wisdom. He says, “Should you nurse bitter jealously and selfish ambition in your hearts…. arrogance and false claims against the truth…. Wisdom like this does not come from above.”
In contrast he shares the pillars of Christian wisdom. True wisdom, James says, is pure…..which means we try always to have holy thoughts. Wisdom is peaceable, this means that we seek good relationships with individuals and with God. Arrogance has no place in a pure individual. True wisdom is not rigid, but it is a sweet reasonableness, the ability to extend to others kindly consideration. True wisdom is not stubborn James says but knows when to yield. James says a symptom of wisdom is the ability to show mercy even if the suffering someone is enduring is of their own making. Christian wisdom is based on certainties that come to us from God through Jesus Christ. Wisdom is not characterized by hypocrisy but is based in truth. Finally, James says that true wisdom can never flourish in atmosphere that if full of strife and bitterness.
Given all this, what does the virtue of Christian wisdom have to offer us today? One thing Christian wisdom says to us is that we must take care of each other. In the case of the Coronavirus we must be willing to make the sacrifices to get this virus under control. Whenever we make decisions about our activities need to ask what is risky and what is not. We must ask what the medical professionals are telling us. We can’t view them as enemies even as if they make some honest mistakes. We must admit that they have expertise we do not have.
In the case of the election. We need to ask what will unite us. Jesus made a prayer in the Gospel of John which reflects the wisdom that the scriptures point to in our liturgy. Jesus prayed that all might be one. Anger and vitriol are never things that reflect wisdom.
Finally, we need to be willing to pray for wisdom. Part of prayer is being open to the Spirit. Part of prayer is being willing to listen. If we approach prayer just asking to be affirmed about what we already believe then we aren’t seeking the wisdom that God offers. The Christian always desires to act wisely as Jesus did.
Reflection Questions:
- Is wisdom different than being intelligent? How do I define it?
- What am I praying for right now? Is always being on the winning side of an argument the all-important thing?
Dear Parishioners,
On November 20th Bishop Tylka will be coming to celebrate a Mass with our Seton School students. This will be his first visit to Sacred Heart. He is vey enthusiastic about coming. Our school community invited him, and he very readily agreed. He is also going to be here in the Spring to celebrate Confirmation. This will mark the first time a bishop will visit us in many years.
This all depends on the status of the Coronavirus outbreak. Presently, as we know, the numbers of cases are going up dramatically. Decisions will be made based on the safety of all concerned.
We received word last week from the diocese that parish meetings cannot exceed 25 people and/or rooms cannot be at over 25% capacity. Our hopes that we could have some social events soon seem to be diminished.
I ask myself what I am to learn from the present disappointments. I am sure that you ask the same question. I feel, at times, that the message from God is that “you are not in control.” We all need to draw close the Lord. It is he who will give us strength.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you this week.
Fr. Mark