Fr. Joeven Matugas sx
Reflection on the readings of the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time by Fr. Joeven Matugas, sx
This Sunday, the gospel story comes from the chapter 25 of St. Matthew from the first verse to the tenth. (Mt. 25:1-10)
This is one of the gospel passages chosen to be read on All Souls Day that we had just celebrated last Monday (Nov. 2). It is also an alternate reading for the Funeral Mass or waking because the theme of this gospel story is about the judgment day. The final end of our life's journey on earth towards our Creator. That we are waiting for Christ's second coming.
In this parable of the Ten Bridesmaids, five of them are wise and five of them are not wise. The wise bridesmaids have the oil ready for their lamps so that at anytime the bride groom comes, they are ready. And indeed so. They have it. The other five who weren't wise, had not prepared any extra oil for their lamps. And indeed, they failed to meet the bridegroom. These unwise five women were not able to get in when it was needed.
Oftentimes it happened to us that we ran out of budget - monetary funds. Several times here in Sierra Leone, we had to deal with scarcity of fuel. Years ago the Philippines suffered for insufficient supply of rice. These are all unexpected situations. That's why we are asked to be always ready. The five unwise women have run out of oil, and have failed to provide more for the time of need.
It is such that the oil is so necessary to keep the wick of the lamps burning so that the flame will not be extinguished. The oil fuels the flame of the lamp so that the light will not be going out. Fr. Vicenzo Munari, sx, said in his homily that the oil is our prayer. That will allow us to keep our relationship with God until the day of judgment. God will not close the door for us as shown in the parable of the five unwise women. Simply so, that's why the judgement of our actions is in God's hands.
In our present life we do need a sufficient store of spiritual energy. It is a source of our daily awakening and strength. This source of energy must keep on charging so that we may always be prepared.
Reflection on the readings of the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time by Fr. Joeven Matugas, sx
This Sunday, the gospel story comes from the chapter 25 of St. Matthew from the first verse to the tenth. (Mt. 25:1-10)
This is one of the gospel passages chosen to be read on All Souls Day that we had just celebrated last Monday (Nov. 2). It is also an alternate reading for the Funeral Mass or waking because the theme of this gospel story is about the judgment day. The final end of our life's journey on earth towards our Creator. That we are waiting for Christ's second coming.
In this parable of the Ten Bridesmaids, five of them are wise and five of them are not wise. The wise bridesmaids have the oil ready for their lamps so that at anytime the bride groom comes, they are ready. And indeed so. They have it. The other five who weren't wise, had not prepared any extra oil for their lamps. And indeed, they failed to meet the bridegroom. These unwise five women were not able to get in when it was needed.
Oftentimes it happened to us that we ran out of budget - monetary funds. Several times here in Sierra Leone, we had to deal with scarcity of fuel. Years ago the Philippines suffered for insufficient supply of rice. These are all unexpected situations. That's why we are asked to be always ready. The five unwise women have run out of oil, and have failed to provide more for the time of need.
It is such that the oil is so necessary to keep the wick of the lamps burning so that the flame will not be extinguished. The oil fuels the flame of the lamp so that the light will not be going out. Fr. Vicenzo Munari, sx, said in his homily that the oil is our prayer. That will allow us to keep our relationship with God until the day of judgment. God will not close the door for us as shown in the parable of the five unwise women. Simply so, that's why the judgement of our actions is in God's hands.
In our present life we do need a sufficient store of spiritual energy. It is a source of our daily awakening and strength. This source of energy must keep on charging so that we may always be prepared.