<p><em>There is a strand of Christian piety that sees life on earth as a short prelude to our real life after we leave this world. But Jesus words do not bear out such a quietist perspective. Instead as todays reflection reminds us waiting for the disciple is an active engaged state of being in which we are not only preparing for the life to come we are cooperating in bringing it about.</em></p><p><strong>November 12 2023: Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A</strong></p><p>Wisdom 6:12-16</p><p>Psalm 63:2-8</p><p>1 Thessalonians 4:13-18</p><p>Matthew 25:1-13</p><h3><strong>Waiting Well<br></strong></h3><p><em>A reflection by David Jackson</em></p><p>The coming weeks present us with three parables that conclude the public teaching of Jesus in Matthews Gospel.&nbsp;They have a menacing tone in jarring contrast to the voice of the one who was meek and humble of heart.&nbsp;</p><p>Todays gospel has words of consolation and warning.&nbsp;First consolation: Jesus has told us that happiness is the Reign of God and Jesus points out that this reign is like a wedding feast.&nbsp;Weddings have been and still are times of fullness a time to celebrate life.&nbsp;To celebrate marriage is to believe in hope to believe in the future. The Reign of God is about joy and hope.</p><p>Then warning:&nbsp;we are told to be wise and prepare for a long waiting period.&nbsp;The narrative is a warning against both moral procrastination and presumption.</p><p>In this gospel we have a grace-filled moment and a pathetic moment.&nbsp;First the moment of grace: John Donahue S.J. reminds us Wisdom is transcendent knowledge revealed by God and also evokes thoughts of practical know-how along with prudent judgment gained from experience.&nbsp;Wisdom is personified as Gods partner in creation (Proverbs 8). Five of the bridesmaids are called wise (or prudent) because they carefully assess the needs of the situation and prepare for the future.&nbsp;The lamps are symbols that through their teaching and good deeds they will be lights shining in darkness which cannot be hidden under a basket.&nbsp;They are guides for the community as it awaits the return of Jesus.</p><p>Second the moment of pathos: John Donahue S.J. again Some readers think that the ones who should have been condemned were the wise the somewhat selfish and nasty bridesmaids who would not share their oil.&nbsp;More convincing is the view that the lamps lit and supplied with oil are symbols of the works of love and mercy that one must have at the final judgment.&nbsp;These cannot really be shared with others so the narrative is a warning against both moral procrastination and presumption.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Barbara Reid approaches the parable from a different angle.&nbsp;Neither the preacher nor the Congregation are completely foolish nor completely wise; the two extremes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Each one has some aspect of the foolish virgins within. ... Every disciple also has some aspect of the wise ones within.&nbsp;The parable invites celebration of our wisdom even as our foolishness is still being transformed.&nbsp;&nbsp;If we read this passage in juxtaposition with the first reading it is reassuring that the effort to be wise does not depend on human striving alone.&nbsp;In the first reading Wisdom is waiting to be found; she is readily perceived and found and known by those who love and seek her.&nbsp;Those who keep vigil for her are actually being sought out as she makes her rounds.&nbsp;</p><p>Jesus final command to stay awake cannot be taken literally.&nbsp;All the girls slept.&nbsp;But rather be prepared by the good works for the coming whose time you do not know.&nbsp;Vigilance is not simply biding ones time until the important ones arrive but active engagement in the presentwhich shapes the future.&nbsp;To be wise then is not to calculate the time of departure.&nbsp;It is to spend the present moment the waiting well.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><div><div class=titan__email-divider>&nbsp;</div><div class=titan__email-divider><img src='https://www.dignityusa.org/sites/default/files/david_1.png'></div></div><div class=mobile-full><div class=mobile-full><em>As a Catholic priest for 48 years&nbsp;<strong>David Jackson</strong>&nbsp;preached on most Sundays. His love of Scripture led him to pursue an M.A. from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. For the past 16 years he has sent out homily reflections to friends. For the last two years these reflections have also been available on Roman Catholic Women Priests Canada's bimonthly newsletter. Since he discovered Catholic Women Preach that web site is part of his weekly preparation. At 82 years of age he has been married for the last ten years to the love of his life Alva. In March he published his first book Jesus Gardens Me available on Amazon.</em></div></div><p style=text-align: center;><a class=btn btn-primary href=https://dignityusa.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/dignityusa/subscribe.jsp?subscription=8>Subscribe to Breath of the Spirit</a></p>