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32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A - 12/11/2023 - Gospel: Mt 25: 1-13
Good Work
A wedding is an image of the heavenly kingdom. It is the symbol of joy and gladness. A wedding marks the beginning of a new family; a basic community is being formed. Guests invited to the wedding are friends; and chosen for the occasion. The banquet's location and time is well informed. Guests who are well prepared for the wedding show their respect and gladness for the couple by dressing elegantly and waiting with joy for the day. Underprepared guests come probably out of obligation rather than celebration with joy. No matter how well prepared for the wedding, unexpected accidents are unavoidable. At the wedding at Cana, the host ran out of wine, and, at His mother Mary's request, Jesus changed water to the best wine. This time the bridegroom arrived late, and that caused the bridesmaid party to fall asleep. They were woken by the announcement of the coming of the bridegroom. The problem was not drowsiness, but the lack of preparation some bridesmaids had for the journey. The text says; some bridesmaids carried their lamps with extra oil; some carried lamps without extra oil. The two contrasting approaches are worth considering. The ones who carried extra oil showed they were well prepared for the trip, and also prepared for any unexpected events that may happened. The ones who carried no extra oil believed they had everything under control. Obviously, the bridesmaids would have no control over the arrival time of the groom. And indeed, the groom was late in arriving, at a time that they didn't expect. This caused problems for bridesmaids who believed they had everything under control. This overconfidence led to an unwise decision. By the time they realized they were in trouble; it was too late to get more oil. They asked to share oil with other maids. They told them to go and buy it themselves. It is not a selfish response because reality shows that we are able to share concrete, material things; but not spiritual, invisible things. Getting oil in the middle of the night is a real challenge because shops might not open at midnight. Again, this business is not easy to take control. The parable seems to say whatever God has promised to mankind; it certainly will happen; and it is a trustworthy promise. Whatever human beings plan to do; the final outcome would swing either way.

When the unwise maids arrived and knocked on the wedding hall. They heard a voice from inside saying, 'I do not know you'. What a heartbroken response. This response makes people believe that oil in this context is not a physical burning oil for the lamps, but rather the spiritual gifts that are necessary to make our hearts on fire for Jesus and for others.

Late coming for the wedding banquet caused trouble for both the host and the cook. Public places, and wedding halls, have rules to avoid chaos. The arrival time has finished and the later comers are not permitted. 'I do not know you' implies there is no connection, no relationship between the insiders and outsiders at the wedding hall. This makes people believe that 'oil' is a personal relationship one has with God and that it is impossible to share it with others. A personal relationship with God is gained through daily prayers and devotion. It includes personal sacrifices and studies about God's love. The personal relationship one has with others is gained through the acts of kindness, an act of charity, and forgiveness. We are able to do this through openness to receive God's grace, and that enables us to do good work.

The parable is about the Second coming of Christ. In those who prepare for the day; the 'lamp' of their life shines brightly, and they are welcome to enter the Heavenly Hall. In those who delay preparing for that day; the 'lamps' of their life are dull and dim, and would miss forever the opportunity to enter the Heavenly Hall.
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