Keep the Fire Burning

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

12 November 2023

 

First Reading: Wis 6:12-16

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Second Reading: 1 Thes 4:13-18

Gospel: Mt 25:1-13

 

Reflection

By: Carlo Alexis Malaluan

 

We are getting closer to the end of the liturgical year, for this the Gospel presents us the Parable of the ten virgins. The theme that is being presented to us is vigilance and lukewarmness. Lukewarmness is a sin that most of us would fall into without even noticing. Being “lukewarm” means being neither antagonistic (“cold”) or passionate (“hot”) in the pursuit of Christian duties. Lukewarmness could sometimes feel like “I will go to mass in the afternoon because I don’t feel rising early in the morning… I will say my prayers before bedtime… I will help the community charity drive the following week because this week is too hectic…” and ending up not doing so or sometimes it is about committing the same sins again and again complacent with the thought of God’s mercy - “God will forgive me anyway!” or in praying to God only when in times of need - “God will understand anyway!”. We lack “oil” for our vigil lamps, we lack “ardent love” in our hearts.  The lukewarm soul tends to neglect the duties of its state in life. To always strive for the bare minimum fulfilment of temporal and spiritual commitments is to be lukewarm.

What is the cure for lukewarmness? A heart that is fully alive! A heart that is filled with compassion and an eagerness to share that very sentiment of his heart to every person, in every circumstance, in every possible way is a vigil lamp filled with oil. The ardent desire of the heart to keep its flames burning lights the path of the coming of God’s kingdom. And only with a burning flame, one may be able to contemplate the face of God. 

The wise virgin brought with them an extra oil while the foolish did not. In our spiritual life, we have to come equipped. We must not let our “oils” run out hence we should always get our jars filled. In the testimonies of one of the Sisters of Charity of Mother Teresa, she said that it was Mother Teresa’s explicit instruction that before the sisters perform their charity work or apostolate, they should begin with the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus, present in the Eucharist, is the source of their strength, the cause of their mission and the recipient of their charity. Otherwise, they would fall into despair in the face of tremendous poverty and suffering they are dealing with everyday. 

An intimate relationship with Jesus is the oil that fills our heart. An intimate relationship that is fueled by constant prayer - a prayer that does not simply ask but tells, a prayer that seeks the grace to involve God in our everyday dealings, a prayer that opens up the greatest secrets of our hearts. An intimate relationship that is moved by actions and deeds - a deed that goes beyond sentiments and emotions but truly cares for and acts for the welfare of others, actions that will enrich the lives of other people. An intimate relationship that is deeply rooted in faith - not of wishy-washy feelings, not moved by  mere conveniences nor benefits but a faith that would stand firm against all odds. These are the oils that will keep our fire burning until the coming of the Lord.

In the end of our lives, we will be judged by our lamps. How we have brought light to the world through the small lamp that we have. How we have tried and toiled to remain fully alive in faith. How we have used our lights to light the lamps of other people around us. And when Jesus saw the lights of our hearts, he will welcome us to participate in His banquet for eternity.

Prayer

Lord, in times of lukewarmness, help us find the fire that will again ignite our hearts to pursue our Christian duties. This we ask in Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen.

Be Vigilant, Be Grateful

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

8 November 2020
First reading Wisdom 6:12-16

Resplendent and unfading is wisdom,

and she is readily perceived by those who love her,

and found by those who seek her.

She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire;

Whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed,

for he shall find her sitting by his gate.

For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence,

and whoever for her sake keeps vigil

shall quickly be free from care;

because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her,

and graciously appears to them in the ways,

and meets them with all solicitude.

Second reading                                                          1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,

about those who have fallen asleep,

so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,

so too will God, through Jesus,

bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 

Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord,

that we who are alive,

who are left until the coming of the Lord,

will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord himself, with a word of command,

with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God,

will come down from heaven,

and the dead in Christ will rise first. 

Then we who are alive, who are left,

will be caught up together with them in the clouds

to meet the Lord in the air. 

Thus we shall always be with the Lord. 

Therefore, console one another with these words.

Gospel                                                                          Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus told his disciples this parable:

"The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins

who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 

Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 

The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,

brought no oil with them,

but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. 

Since the bridegroom was long delayed,

they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

At midnight, there was a cry,

‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 

The foolish ones said to the wise,

‘Give us some of your oil,

for our lamps are going out.’

But the wise ones replied,

'No, for there may not be enough for us and you.

Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’

While they went off to buy it,

the bridegroom came

and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. 

Then the door was locked.

Afterwards the other virgins came and said,

‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’

But he said in reply,

‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’

Therefore, stay awake,

for you know neither the day nor the hour."

Reflection

By Art B. Reyes

In the United States, Thanksgiving is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, holidays being observed. It is an annual national holiday celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year. 

As a tradition, the Filipinos living there take turns in hosting the Thanksgiving dinner for their friends and their families. There was a year when I was chosen to host the occasion for our big circle of friends. And because I love to cook, I prepared several dishes that they love. Several nights before the actual day, I listed down all the necessary items that I needed to buy and bought them the following day. And on the Thanksgiving day itself,  I finished preparing the meals well ahead of time so I would have some time to do some more house cleaning. Later on that day, when every guest was around, we excitedly started to partake the foods. There was one food missing though. The rice, I forgot to cook the rice!

On this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, teaching His disciples the importance of being prepared. Jesus talks about what it means to be prepared to receive the Kingdom of Heaven. He told His disciples to understand that the exact day and time cannot be predicted. He teaches the disciples that they must remain vigilant so that they will not be caught unprepared.

Sometimes in our life, no matter how prepared we thought we are, there is still something that is left out. No matter what we do, we can never really be prepared for surprises and eventualities. There are struggles that come our way unexpectedly, sometimes in the dark chapters of our life, when we are close to giving up. But this is where our faith comes in. Never give up! Let us do our part, to the best of our abilities! And whatever we can control, let us take care of it, and to God we leave the rest.

We all know that our “time” will eventually come. Everyone will one day face our Creator. Can we say that we are well prepared to meet Him? How do we best prepare for that time? A life well-lived! 

Let us live not only for ourselves but also for others! And let us not be driven by our ambitions alone but by godly missions. May we also prepare our hearts for the unexpected blessings that come our way! Our God is the greatest provider! His blessings are abundant and sometimes given by surprise! 

Let us be vigilant and forget not to be grateful!

Prayer

Lord, help me walk with You in holiness so that I will fulfill my destiny and the purpose of my existence. Give me the wisdom and the grace to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen.