Nov 8 2020 Reflection

Sunday 8 November 2020

First Reading: WIS 6:12-16
Responsorial Psalm:
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
PS 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Second Reading: 1 THES 4:13-18
Gospel Reading: MT 25:1-13

Today’s Note: Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Reading:

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“”The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 
Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. 
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry,
‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 
The foolish ones said to the wise,
‘Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.’
But the wise ones replied,
‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you.
Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’
While they went off to buy it,
the bridegroom came
and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. 
Then the door was locked.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said,
‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’
But he said in reply,
‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’
Therefore, stay awake,
for you know neither the day nor the hour.””

Reflection:

We do not want you to be unaware . . . about those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

We all struggle at times with doubts about our faith, and the Thessalonians were no exception. Some of their loved ones had died before Jesus’ Second Coming—an event they thought would happen in their lifetime. Now what, they wondered? How could the dead participate in Jesus’ triumphant return?

Paul reassures them: they haven’t lost their loved ones forever, so they don’t have to grieve like those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). When Jesus returns, he will raise those who have already died along with those who are still alive.

For us too, the seeming finality of death can lead us to doubt the truths of the resurrection. Even if we believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, we might wonder what’s in store for us after we die. Can God really give us and our loved ones glorified bodies that are never subject to sickness, decay, or death (1 Corinthians 15:52-53)? Yes, he can, but we won’t know what this looks like until we ourselves pass through death to life everlasting. 

That’s where faith comes in. Paul was asking the Thessalonians, as he is asking us, to believe that Jesus’ resurrection really does have consequences for us. Christ is “the firstfruits,” the first to be raised; “then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:23). We don’t know the details, the “how” or the “when.” But as we put our faith in Jesus and what he has done for us, he will move us from doubt to hope.

Paul consoles the Thessalonians with these words: “We shall always be with the Lord” (4:17). So will you. You don’t have to give in to doubt, which can lead to worry and fear. God is with you now, and he will be with you in the future—whatever that future holds.

“Jesus, I believe you are with me, both now and forever.”