November 6, 2011 Scripture Reflection

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time


November 6, 2011

Wisdom 6:12-16, 1Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13

"…those who were ready went…with him."

Mt 25:10

In just a couple of weeks we will be bringing the liturgical year to a close. We have been telling the gospel story week after week and now we focus on the maintenance steps to discipleship. We have heard once again from the Jesus story about the way, the life, the love and the faithfulness he showed and lived.

Now we are challenged to do likewise: to be alert, to be awake, to be ready to apply what we have been taught in all our affairs, every day. We too must stand ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour we do not expect.

In three weeks we will celebrate the first Sunday of Advent. We start the story again from its beginning. We do this, I believe, for we are so prone to forget…to fall asleep…to not be prepared…to allow our oil to run out.

What is this maintenance; this alertness; this awakened state that I must practice?

I suggest it is to continue to check my resources to see if my motives and my responses are in keeping with my responsibilities to God, to my best self and to others. I suggest it is to daily present myself to God that I may be open and willing to follow God's ways today. I suggest it is to be shown ways that I may be of service to God and to God's people according to the gifts, talents and resources at my disposal.

In today's gospel we have a task given to the ten maid servants of the household. They were to light the way for the groom who would be bringing his bride home. Their task was to carry the lamp along the last leg of their Master's journey. If all went as planned, one fill of the base with oil would be sufficient. Life has a way of not going as planned, doesn't it? Therefore, 'sufficient' was not enough for them to complete their task, much less to be prepared for going the extra mile. God invites me in today's gospel to supply myself with extra fuel for the tasks I am assigned.

Do I tend to minimalize my responsibility, my role, my service as a Christian? Am I willing to bring along only a sufficient amount of willingness, openness, readiness in order to serve my God? Will I consider it "not my job" to have more than is expected of me?

When the unexpected happens, will I presume it is someone else's job to take care of it?

I have heard it said that I should not grow cocky nor complacent about being a Christian. I will be headed for trouble if I do. Jesus tells us today that each of us must be awake, be alert, be prepared for the unexpected. If today I should hear God's voice, would I be prepared to go the distance or would I find myself short of fuel?

Lord, grant me the Wisdom to know that your ways and your timing are not mine to understand. I need only be prepared for the unexpected, no matter when or how it may come.

Maureen Murphy, OP