Let's Get Into the House Before the Door Closes!

Let's get into the house before the door closes!



Nov. 6 - XXXII Sunday in Ordinary Time



As we approach the end of the Church Year, we are given two more liturgies underlining the true meaning of life on earth: constant preparation for life in heaven.


The Opening Prayer (which rarely gets the attention it deserves) asks for "freedom of spirit" to do the work of God. It also asks for "health in mind and body" - especially in mind. Our minds run our lives. We have, of course, automatic reflexes (when you put your hand on a hot stove you don't stop to think what you should do!), but all our other actions are first of all in our minds. This is a generic reflection.


The Second Reading is more specific and introduces the concept of "wisdom" The Book of Wisdom from which the Reading is taken, was written probably in the first century before Christ when Jews were being persecuted for their faith but also tempted to defect to a pagan culture. The Book points out many dangers which are familiar also to us. These are not mentioned in this Reading but they are to be understood as the reason we must seek the truth and live it.


The Responsorial Psalm must make many of us (perhaps all of us?) rather uneasy. "My soul is thirsting (?) for you, 0 Lord, my God" Can we read that without a sense that it really does NOT express our "thirst" which all to often is for something quite different? Perhaps yes, but there is no day like today for reflection and decision on where our life is going. All too often we have to say these words and then say to the Lord in tears: "Sorry, Jesus, I haven't go that far yet... help me!" The Second Reading finds St. Paul comforting his converts in Thessalonika. He had given the impression that the Lord would be returning any time but in the meantime people were dyiing and the problem arose: what will happen to these people who will not be here to greet the Master? St. Paul (still thinking of an imminent return of the Lord) says that not only those on earth at that time but equally those who have died will eventually be safe in the hands of God - "caught up together with them in the clouds." In fact the Savior still has to return but Paul's reference to the final Resurrection are still very valid.


In the Gospel we return again to the concept of wisdom. The Lord has in mind a Jewish wedding normally begun at night. The bridegroom comes when it suits him and the ten virgins for this reason must keep awake so as to be ready to escort the groom coming to claim his bride. There are many possible lessons to be drawn from this Gospel but the main one is surely to live a life such that we are always ready to greet the divine Bridegroom when he comes to take us to himself. The closing of the door is also significant. The time to prepare to meet the Bridegroom is limited and, once the door of our life is closed - so to speak - there is no possibility of opening it.


~ November 2011 Concord