Wisdom Says Stay Awake

Introduction.

I was having a hard time finding a good introduction for this homily, at this time of with all the turmoil in the world and in our nation, and under this pandemic, but when I saw all who had come to Mass Saturday evening and you tonight, it warms my heart to be with all of you fellow disciple, who love the Lord, have come against the threat of rain and cold, outdoors like the homeless to hear God’s word and be nourished by his body and blood. The good news is that Advent 2021 is around the corner, at the end of November, giving us renewed hope and joy of strengthening our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, preparing ourselves, and now ever more, looking forward to his second coming and being together with him forever.

Body

That’s what the Gospel is about today, the 10 virgins, who went out to meet the Lord and be with him. Church fathers St. Jerome says that the 10 virgins signify all of mankind. Our five senses in two instruments male and female comprise of the whole humans’ race. St. Hilary says the absolute distinction between the virgins are between believers and unbelievers. To start out with all 10 virgins have lamps and oil. Oil burring in lamps signify faith alive with good works. Lamps with no oil, is dead faith. They all got drowsy and fell asleep signifying physical death, but when they were awakened by the announcement of the coming of the bridegroom the 5 wise were ready, went into the wedding feast with the Lord, the other five ended up locked out crying Lord, Lord, and hearing those dreaded words “amen I say to you, I don’t know you!? Now of course we all want to be with the wise 5, but this part of the parable worrisome me, does it you? How can it be possible to live thinking you knows the Lord, and end up hearing him tell you he doesn’t know you!... I think one sure way is to end up not knowing or accepting the true identity and nature of Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, Son of God, the Savior of the World, all Wise, all Loving and Merciful, and not surrendering ourselves to him completely as our Lord and savior. Over time this condition “spiritual drowsiness” sets in, selfishness, unforgiving, anger intolerance violence, unbelief, confusion about morals truth, mixing up what God says is Good and Evil. God have mercy not any starting with my self fall into this spiritual drowsiness at the end.

Conclusion

But Jesus is the unfading wisdom in our 1st reading, God is always looking out for us knocking at the door of our hears to open so he can come in, Jesus has a word of wisdom for us to prevent this spiritual drowsiness condition. He says Stay Awake. That is “wake up and smell the coffee”, Wisdom says let us get to know Jesus more intimately from the Gospels, and let his love burn in our hearts. Wisdom says, for the sake of his sorrowful passion keep doing charitable works of mercy and justice. Wisdom says examine moral truth in accordance with God’s Word and the deposit of faith, in the Teachings of Catholic Church, regardless of who is and will be the President. Wisdom says live by the sacraments of reconciliation and Eucharist.

And to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory for ever and ever Amen.