On this 32nd
Sunday in Ordinary Time as we move towards the end of the liturgical year we
are presented with the Gospel of Matthew 25. Beginning this Sunday and for the
following two Matthew 25 is the center for us to reflect on. Matthew 25 is a
rich text with three scenarios for us to ponder: this Sunday with the wise and
foolish bridesmaids, next week the parable of the talents and the last week the
image of the sheep and the goats telling us whatsoever you do to the least. All
three of these pieces of scripture challenge us to be kingdom dwellers and ask
us to reflect on how we build the kingdom of God here and now, not simply hope
for it as an eternal reward.
When were kids, we
could look out our north windows and see open fields (much smaller evergreens)
and when we looked out our south windows we would see the open back yards of
our neighbours right to the highway. So when we knew company was coming for a
visit the process was the same no matter which window we looked out, it went
something like this:
If our company was
Uncle John & Auntie Linda coming from the north of town, one of us would be
assigned to watch out the bathroom window for lights to appear on the horizon.
(If relatives from the south or west the dining room window was the perch.)
When lights would appear whoever was watching would shout, “I think they are
coming!” and we would watch and wait for updates: “They are closer, they are
closer, oh never mind, it’s not them, just another car.” “Oh wait there is
another set of lights, oh they are slowing down, oh they are really slowing
down, they are here! they are here!”
One of us would go
and run and tell Mom and Dad with great pride, we would announce: “Uncle John
and Auntie Linda are here!” As if they didn’t know already and that what
somehow change that fact that they were trying to get ready themselves. We
would bounce around the house, and all huddle into our narrow hallway to greet
our cousins and aunt and uncle.
The waiting seemed like
forever, even when we saw the car on the horizon, it seemed to creep slower to
town, and from the end of our short drive way until they unloaded out of the
car seemed an eternity. Oh but the endless hours of playing, of games and of
food and laughter to be shared swallowed up that waiting. A foretaste, if you
will, of the kingdom of heaven.
> God my God you I crave my soul
thirsts for you like a dry and weary land.
To be kingdom
dwellers, means to be ready and keeping awake for the Lord always. For Jesus
comes to us each day and comes to us in ways we fail to see or want to see. How
often can we say “He is here! He is here!” like we as children announced the
arrival of our guests? The truth is in our everyday living we should indeed be
able to announce he is here.
The book of Wisdom
reminds us that as kingdom dwellers we are called to be wisdom seekers. For
true wisdom is from God and it is radiant and never fades. If only our efforts
were always radiant and never fading, however we know they are not. We know
that we stumble along, or we fumble up well intentioned plans or we fail to
trust in God’s wisdom. Yet our God never leaves us to stray the path alone, our
God always calls us back to God’s self, calling us to be vigilant and to have
extra oil to trim our lamps and be ready for our God.
Weave
your mystery and profound gifts into the fabric of our journey.
Blessed
are you, gracious God, in your Holy Wisdom.
> God my God you I crave my soul
thirsts for you like a dry and weary land.
In our continually
striving to be kingdom dwellers and to build the kingdom, we thirst for God, yet
we know God’s steadfast love, our lives are filled as a rich banquet and we
know our God is our help. In being kingdom dwellers and kingdom builders we are
rooted in the paschal mystery – the life, death, resurrection and ascension of
Christ. The letter to the Thessalonians tells us that we know that this is not
our final home for we hope in life eternal, however we must be encouragers on
the path of life. We must not be like the foolish bridesmaids of the gospel and
not come prepared, we must let our light shine through our good deeds which
will build the kingdom here and lead to the great eternal wedding banquet. The
light of our good deeds should then encourage others to ensure that their lamps
are fueled and that they are ready to greet the Bridegroom.
That
she might be with us and work in us,
Blessed
are you, gracious God, in your holy wisdom.
Enfold
us in your light,
Imbue
us with strength and purpose.
Above
all, hold us fast,
Guide
us in your ways,
Be
our constant companion.
Blessed
are you, gracious God, in your holy wisdom.
How do we live?
When do we crave God? Always? Sometimes? When convenient? When life is
rough?
Are we open to God’s call in our lives?
Do we have an open heart focused on the
light?
How do we ensure our lamps are trimmed
and that we have extra oil?
How do we build the kingdom and be
kingdom dwellers?
By letting our light shine, by being the salt of the earth, by being the body of Christ, by being nourished by the Word and the Eucharist. God dwells among us and in us because God has given us the gift of being God’s children. With wisdom will we accept the free gift of grace and keep awake? For then in the being ready with the heart of a child, excited that the greatest gift we could ever receive is here, we can declare with joy and praise He is here!
> God my God you I crave my soul thirsts for you like a dry and weary land.
* The italicized verse are one prayer entitled Prayer for Wisdom
> The bolded refrain is a sung refrain from CBWIII - 658
Image from: Working Preacher
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