In our Liturgy today, we are invited to explore the profound mystery of wisdom and its relationship to our faith, as presented in our readings from 1 Corinthians and the Gospel of Matthew. The Apostle Paul speaks to the early Christians in Corinth, highlighting a striking paradox: the wisdom of God often appears as foolishness to the world. He reminds us that the message of the cross, at first glance, may seem illogical, even absurd. Yet, for those of us who believe, it is the very power of God.
In our day-to-day lives, we often find ourselves faced with choices or dilemmas where we must discern between worldly wisdom and divine insight.
In our Gospel reading, Jesus shares the parable of the ten virgins, illustrating the importance of being wise and prepared. Here we see the distinction between the wise and foolish: the wise virgins brought extra oil for their lamps, while the foolish ones did not. When the time came, those who were unprepared found themselves on the outside, knocking on the door, only to hear it shut against them.
What do these images tell us about the nature of wisdom? Initially, we might view wisdom as possessing knowledge or having the right answers. However, wisdom in the Kingdom of Heaven is rooted not in our worldly knowledge but in our preparedness and openness to the transformative power of God.
Sometimes, the smartest people in the world take a while to come to acknowledge that beyond the material world, there necessarily needs to exist a being outside of it that was powerful enough to have brought it into existence in the first place. This changes everything. This changes a worldview, and the rest of life’s trajectory. It is a discovery which begins to analyze, judge, and inform every future decision and which will allow a person to look beyond the temporary nature of this life, into the eternal destiny of the next while appreciating what God has already done for us throughout salvation history.
The Person of Jesus, then becomes the best gift ever given to us—that treasure hidden in a field. Jesus urges us today to remain awake, vigilant, and prepared—qualities of true wisdom. To be wise is to understand that the journey of faith requires our active participation, not merely passive waiting. The oil in our lamps signifies the love, faith, and good works we cultivate throughout our lives—sustenance for our spirits, which cannot be borrowed at the last minute. Let’s not wait till the last days of our lives to begin making better choices. This is wisdom also.
As we reflect on these teachings, let us ask ourselves: Are we relying on the wisdom of this world, trapped in the need for signs and eloquence, or are we embracing the ‘foolishness’ of God, grounded in humility and love? Are we choosing to follow Jesus without reservation, or are we still imprisoned in our world of procrastination, fears, and unbelief?
Brothers and sisters, let us seek a deeper, transformative wisdom—one that comes from witnessing the power of the cross in our lives, from recognizing that God turns the world's wisdom upside down and from preparing our hearts for His coming. When we take the time to fill our lamps with oil—through prayer, acts of kindness, and a living relationship with God—we align ourselves with the very essence of wisdom that surpasses understanding.
As we continue our celebration today, may we each reflect on how we can cultivate the oil in our own lamps. May we embrace the ‘foolishness’ of Christ crucified that leads us into a deeper relationship with Him and ensure that we are ready to enter into the heavenly feast that awaits us. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Mary, may he send us the grace of his mercy and wisdom. Amen.
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