Homily – 32nd Sunday Ordinary Time Year A

When the year comes to an end whether it be the school, financial or liturgical year, we tend to look at scores, results and outcomes. Instead of leaving it to chance and hope for the best we already have a sense of how we will fare by our preparation throughout the year. The end of the liturgical year is drawing ever closer and so does the warning for the day of reckoning. Each Sunday’s Gospel becomes quite obvious that preparation is needed always because there is no known date or time, unlike exams and financials.  

The Gospel uses the familiar image of a wedding that everyone can relate to. For those involved in planning for weddings they know it takes planning, preparation and precision. To ensure that everything will run smoothly every detail is considered and forethought is key. With the exception of the bride arriving late everything else must be perfect. This Sunday’s Gospel seems odd compared to the norms of a modern wedding.  When it comes to weddings each culture has its own custom and tradition. The party in waiting is not the bridegroom but the bridesmaids! The time of the bridegroom’s arrival is unpredictable to the point the waiting party falls asleep!

When the groom finally arrives in the night half of the bridesmaids are without oil to light their lamps. The wise maids’ response to those asking to borrow seems rather uncharitable but there are things in life that cannot be borrowed. For students , grades cannot be borrowed, for companies, their performance cannot be lent. In the same way our relationship with God and moral life cannot be borrowed or lent. Each person is given the chance to prepare by nurturing this relationship.

Pope Francis reminds us the images of oil and light represents charity and faith. A church that practices charity alone is no different to an NGO. Charity accompanies faith. Without the works of charity recognition of Christ is difficult. Charity helps us to see the face of Christ in those often neglected or wouldn’t otherwise get a second look by society. The constant reminder that Christ the Bridegroom is coming motivates us to be in a constant state of preparation and readiness.

By Fr Hoang Dinh