“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.” (Matthew 25:1).  

The major theme for this 32^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses on the wisdom of preparing constantly and diligently for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The readings (1) warn us about preparation for the end of our world, our time, and our passage to another world, and (2) tell us that a searching, watching, and evolving heart is essential for a lively, dynamic faith in God.

Wisdom is defined as: (1) the skill of an artisan (Exodus 36:8); (2) the capacity of the king to judge rightly (1 Kings 3:28); (3) the ability of animals to adapt and survive, e.g. ants which store their food (Proverbs 30:24-28); (4) propriety in manners and conduct (Proverbs 2:1-22); (5) an attitude of awe and humility (fear) before God (Job 1:1, Proverbs 9:10); (6) a knack for coping well with all the exigencies of life.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that wisdom is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore, nothing defiled gains entrance into her. For she reflects eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness. For wisdom is more beautiful than the sun and excels every constellation of the stars. Compared with the light, she is found to be superior, for it is succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does not prevail (CCC #2500).

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to exercise the wisdom of preparing constantly and diligently for the second coming of Christ, to follow Jesus Christ more closely, to repent our sins, to exercise our Christian stewardship, to use our time, treasure, and talents to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves, participating in the works of mercy, to accomplish God’s will in our lives to glorify God.  

How can we be wise and prepared for Christ’s Second Coming?

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.