8 November 2020 – 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A
Matthew 25:1-13
Fernando Armellini SCJ
Claretian Publications, Macau
When Matthew writes to a despondent community that could not see the second coming of the Lord as they had expected, he repurposes the original story. The ten virgins do not indicate any longer Israel, but the Church (the bride) that awaits the return of her Lord, her Bridegroom. Thus, there is also a logical explanation for the fact that the bride does not appear: the bride is the Christian community, represented by the ten virgins.
“Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish virgins represent the Christians at risk, those who focus their lives on what is transient; those who neglect true values; those who forget the one thing necessary, that which Mary had chosen being at the Lord’s feet and becoming his disciple (Lk 10:38-42).
The vigilant virgins are instead Christians who do not let themselves be seduced by vanity and remain focused on what is important in life.
The puzzling behavior of the wise virgins, show the importance to live well not just to die well. God—it is true—always finds a way to save the person, but in the end everyone will end up with what one did: with a solid and magnificent palace or with a paper made castle, which will not stand the fire of God’s judgment, when he “will test the work of everyone” (1 Cor 3:13-17).
The closing of the door indicates the end of every opportunity. Hence the urgent need to establish how to use life well and the image of the lighted lamp suggests the way. Whoever has made evangelical choices will preserve and keep in mind and heart the light of faith, even in those moments when trials and difficulties will go beyond the expected. However, the choice of the one who, for a while follows the proposals of Christ, but later, being tired, leans towards other values or interests, will be condemned and judged insane.
Jesus is not coming only the end of our life. He comes in every moment and wants to find his disciples engaged in service, in the gift of themselves to the brothers and sisters. In their room, the lamp should be always on, as a point of reference and reminder of hope for the poor seeking help, for the outcast and the stranger who invoke love and justice, for the woman who demands respect, for those who are victims of violence and long for peace, for those who did wrong and need understanding and forgiveness.
Translated by Fr. John Ledesma SDB
Abridged by Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
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