Wis 6.12-16;
Ps 62;
I Thess 4.13-18;
Mt 25.1-13
Seeking wisdom is seeking Christ
Today’s readings anticipate some of the great themes of Advent, looking forward to the Second Coming of Christ in glory at the end of time. The main lesson of today’s parable from Saint Matthew’s Gospel is the need to stay alert. The bridesmaids who kept their lamps burning are called wise. The first reading tells us that divine wisdom is readily found by those who seek it—and that wisdom seeks us, as Christ’s incarnation shows. God’s Word took flesh to reveal the splendour of divine truth and still teaches us. To those who listen, He says, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
We do not know whether our death or Christ’s Second Coming will come first. Saint Paul tells the Thessalonians that the living will have no advantage over the dead when Christ comes in glory. All face the same question: have you persevered in faith? Rather than speculate, we must live so the heavenly Bridegroom finds us ready, in grace, with faith alive. Let us live each day as our last, keeping our lamps burning with charity.
Commenting on the parable, Saint Augustine exhorts us: “Watch with the heart, watch with faith, watch with love, watch with charity, watch with good works; make ready your lamps, make sure they do not go out; renew them with the inner oil of an upright conscience; then shall the Bridegroom enfold you in the embrace of his love and bring you into his banquet room, where your lamp can never be extinguished.”
Seeking wisdom is seeking Jesus for he is the eternal wisdom. The Logos is the pattern of patterns, and he comes to us with wisdom himself
Reading, studying, and prayer are the pattern we must follow to seek Jesus. Seek and you shall find. May God grant us wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
We can seek help from Our Blessed Lady, Seat of Wisdom, and focus on two moments: now, when we can replenish charity, and the hour of death, when we hear, “the bridegroom is here!” If we act now, we are more likely to persevere in faith. Our Lady’s prayers are indispensable; we ask for them in the Hail Mary: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death”. Amen.
Fr Joseph Osho
