OT XXXII [A]: Wis 6:12-16; I Thes 4:13-18; Mt 25:1-13

 

Christian spirituality has always insisted on the need to live this life as a clear and certain preparation for the future eternal life. The mere desire of eternal life is not sufficient, but the life a person lives must show in practical ways this preparedness and the worthiness for the Kingdom of Heaven.  The message given to us today is one of watchfulness and to be ready to receive the Lord. As we approach the end of the Liturgical Year, the Church seems to place these very mysteries before us.  

Today, we reflect upon a parable from the Gospel of Matthew that Jesus shared with his disciples. It is a story about ten bridesmaids awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom. This parable conveys profound truths about spiritual preparedness, vigilance, and the importance of being ready for the coming of the Lord.

The story of Noah and the Ark is a classic example of preparedness in the face of impending disaster. Noah, righteous in his generation, was instructed by God to build an ark to escape the flood that would cleanse the earth of sin. Through his obedience and preparedness, Noah and his family were saved. This narrative emphasizes the importance of heeding God's warnings and being prepared for the challenges that may come.

The Passover story highlights the importance of preparedness for the Israelites. God instructed them to be ready to leave Egypt in haste, with their sandals on their feet and staff in hand. The preparedness of the Israelites allowed them to follow God's guidance and escape from slavery. 

The Bible consistently teaches the importance of preparedness in various aspects of life—spiritual readiness, stewardship of God's gifts, obedience to His instructions, and anticipation of future events. Being prepared is not just a temporal or practical matter; it carries profound spiritual implications, shaping our response to God's call and our readiness for the eternal realities that await us.

Life is unpredictable, much like a journey into unknown terrain. It is marked by unexpected twists and turns, presenting challenges and opportunities when we least expect them. In the face of this uncertainty, preparedness becomes our guiding star, illuminating the path forward.

Consider the analogy of sailors embarking on a voyage. They meticulously check their vessel, ensuring it is seaworthy and stocked with provisions. They chart their course, aware that the seas may be calm or turbulent. Such preparedness isn't born out of fear but out of respect for the unpredictable nature of the ocean.

Similarly, in the grand tapestry of life, preparedness is not a manifestation of anxiety but a manifestation of wisdom. It is an acknowledgement that our journey may take us through uncharted waters, and being ready equips us to navigate the unknown with resilience and grace.

One incident that vividly illustrates the lesson of being prepared is the story of the Titanic disaster in 1912. The sinking of the Titanic serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of insufficient preparedness in the face of unexpected challenges.

The Titanic, considered unsinkable by many, set sail on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, on the night of April 14, 1912, the ship struck an iceberg and began its tragic descent into the icy waters. The incident resulted in the loss of more than 1,500 lives.

What makes the Titanic a poignant lesson in preparedness is the insufficient number of lifeboats on board. The ship, designed to accommodate over 2,400 passengers and crew, had lifeboats for only about 1,200 people. The lack of adequate lifeboats was a fatal oversight that contributed to the high casualty rate.

In our fast-paced world, where change is the only constant, preparedness is our anchor. It is the compass that points us in the right direction when the winds of uncertainty blow. Whether we face personal challenges, professional endeavours, or societal shifts, prepared minds and hearts are resilient, adaptable, and capable of transforming adversity into opportunity.

Several years ago, a Fortune 500 company advertised in the New York Times to fill a vacancy in its sales force. They received an application unlike any other. This particular job-seeker wrote: “I am at present selling furniture at the address listed below. You may judge my ability as a salesman if you will stop in to see me at any time, pretending that you are interested in buying furniture. When you come in, you can identify me by my red hair. I will have no way of identifying you. Such salesmanship as I exhibit during your visit, therefore, will be no more than my usual workday efforts and not a special attempt to impress a prospective employer.” — From among more than 1500 applicants, this guy got the job!  He keeps plenty of oil in his lamp.

The conclusion to be drawn from today’s parable is this: the time of the arrival of our Lord as judge of the universe, the day on which the eternal wedding feast of Christ with his elect will begin, it is as uncertain as the arrival of the bridegroom.  There is one sure way to be found ready for that all-important moment to be ever prepared and ready to meet the bridegroom.  A follower of Christ cannot afford to be casual and unprepared for that moment. Like the foolish bridesmaids, many will fail to make use of the means provided for salvation and only realize their folly when it is too late. As we draw close to the end of the liturgical year, the church, through the gospel, invites us to contemplate the end – the end of our lives and the end of the world. Jesus has told us that the Son of Man will come back on the Last Day to judge the living and the dead. How and when that will be, we do not know for sure. May the Lord give us the wisdom to draw a lesson of preparedness from this parable of the wise virgins.