32nd Sunday A

Welcome to our Bible Study 32 nd Sunday in the Ordinary Time A November 6, 2011 In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy In aid of focusing homilies and sharing Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

First Reading: Wisdom 6,12-16 2 Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom , and she is readily perceived by those who love her , and found by those who seek her . 13 She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of men's desire; 14 he who watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate. 15 For taking thought of her is the perfection of prudence, and he who for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care; 16 Because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her , and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude. The focus is on wisdom .

First Reading: Wisdom 6,12-16 Subject 2 Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom , and she is readily perceived by those who love her , and found by those who seek her . 13 She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of men's desire; Object 14 he who watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate. 15 For taking thought of her is the perfection of prudence, and he who for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care; Subject 16 Because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her , and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude. WISDOM is presented as SUBJECT Also as OBJECT A simple outline!

First Reading: Wisdom 6,12-16 12 Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom , and she is readily perceived by those who love her , and found by those who seek her . 13 She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of men's desire; 14 he who watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate. 15 For taking thought of her is the perfection of prudence, and he who for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care; 16 Because she makes her own rounds , seeking those worthy of her , and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude. Commentary V.12 talks about the nature of wisdom (personified): Resplendent and unfading Easily perceived (identified) by those who love and seek her. In v.13, wisdom makes herself known to her prospect lover. Benefits of wisdom The person who waits for her shall not be disappointed. V.14 His prudence will be perfected. He shall be free from care (worries). V.15 Wisdom seeks, appears to and meets those who are worthy of her with all solicitude. V.16

Reflections on the 1 st reading The author personifies wisdom in the feminine gender; the beneficiary or the one who seeks her is personified in the masculine gender. Given the characteristic traits of and the benefits given by wisdom, we are encouraged to seek wisdom. Wisdom is active, has initiatives. She is not there sitting down, waiting to be discovered. Though wisdom is portrayed as a woman, she also has masculine qualities. She aggressively seeks us. For us to discover her, we, too, must be active in seeking her. Wisdom does not encourage passivity. Do you value wisdom?

Resp. Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 R. (2b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. 2 O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. 3 Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, 4 For your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. 5 Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. 6 As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. 7 I will remember you upon my couch, and through the night-watches I will meditate on you: 8 You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.

Resp. Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 R. (2b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. 2 O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. 3 Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, 4 For your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. 5 Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. 6 As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. 7 I will remember you upon my couch, and through the night-watches I will meditate on you: 8 You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. Commentary The psalm is an appropriate response to the first reading. But it is no longer “wisdom” that is being sought here, but God. In v.2, the psalmist compares himself to the earth – lifeless and dry. V.3 indicates that the psalmist is in the Temple praying. V.4 indicates the psalmist’s hierarchy of values. In v.5, the psalmist promises to bless God and pray to him. In v.6, the psalmist will praise God with joy. In v.7, the psalmist promises to pray to God always even when in bed. In v.8, the psalmist joyfully affirms God as his protection.

Reflections on the Psalm We must put God as number one in our life’s agenda. We cannot do away with God, otherwise, our lives become arid and dry, no joy. Like the psalmist, we must be able to praise God for our protection and to rejoice in him. We can not experience that holy joy if we do not pray like the psalmist.

Second Reading: 1 Thess 4,13-18 13 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, console one another with these words. The focus is on the coming of Christ.

Second Reading: 1 Thess 4,13-18 13 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. The dead 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 We who are alive Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, The dead and the dead in Christ will rise first. We who are alive and the dead 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, console one another with these words.

Second Reading: 1 Thess 4,13-18 13 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, console one another with these words. Commentary: Paul handles a problem posed by the Thessalonians regarding the second coming of Christ. The problem: what will happen to the dead when Jesus comes again? In v.13, Paul clarifies what will happen to the dead (fallen asleep) when Christ comes again, to dispel sadness over their dead loved ones. In v.14, Paul says that the dead, too, will benefit from Christ’s coming. We who are alive will not be much better off than those who have gone ahead of us. V.15 The dead will rise at Christ’s command, at the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God (concrete sound bytes). V.16 Together, all of us will meet the Lord. V.18 His explanation should console the Thessalonians. V.19

Reflections on the 2 nd reading We should not worry about the dead on the last day. God will take care of them. What we should worry about is how we live right now and how we will die. Are we living in Christ (in grace)? Shall we die in Christ so that we will rise again? Take note v.16. We should worry if we are not living righteous lives.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 25,1-13 1 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. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise . 3 The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, 4 but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 At midnight, there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise , 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 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.' 10 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. 11 Afterwards the other virgins came and said, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' 12 But he said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you , I do not know you .' 13 Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 25,1-13 1 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise . 3 The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, 4 but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 At midnight, there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise , 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 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.' 10 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. 11 Afterwards the other virgins came and said, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' 12 But he said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you , I do not know you .' 13 Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Commentary The title of the story is the Parable of the Foolish and Wise Virgins. It points to what the Kingdom of God is like right now and in the end of time. The parable teaches the listeners to be WISE , which is translated into vigilance, always ready for any eventuality.

Reflections on the gospel reading We might be virgins, but we should not act like the foolish virgins. We cannot enter God’s kingdom if we are irresponsible. We must imitate the wise virgins who take things seriously, who are prepared to meet the Lord. They don’t scramble (cram) for things, when it is time to act. Many of us fail in our appointments / commitments, because we do not prepare (we do not do our homework). We only prepare when it is time to work. We cannot make God and others wait for us. We are not gods. Let us stop being foolish!

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm WE can adopt WISDOM as the focus of the three readings. The first reading talks about the activities and fruits of wisdom . The psalm talks about the wisdom in praying to God. The second reading describes how wisdom is at work with Paul in trying to solve the problem of the Thessalonians. The gospel reading suggests that we should not act like the foolish virgins.

How to develop your homily and sharing Start your homily with your experience / your struggles to be wise and knowledgeable or how foolish you were (are) Then relate your experience with the message of the readings (you may talk about your conversion / realizations, your becoming wise, when you were natauhan ). In your homily, you may ask your audience: Are you a virgin? Foolish or wise?

The gospel reading definitely teaches us, virgins or not, to act wisely . To act wisely is to be prepared to respond or cope with any eventuality. We must be prepared to welcome God when he appears. He appears to us when he talks to us in his word and sacrament. He comes to us through the people in need, when there are tragedies and crises, when there are appeals for help from our leaders and from the poor.

Acting foolishly is to live as if there is no tomorrow. To act foolishly is to drown ourselves with our own affairs, without due regard to God’s concerns (promotion of justice, peace and integrity). God has no place for foolish people in his kingdom.

The first reading asks us to be keen on having or possessing wisdom . It is like a person who attracts those who are interested in it. Wisdom trains us to be prudent. With wisdom , we can not be disappointed. When we have wisdom , we don’t allow anything to happen by chance. We use our brains. We are not fatalistic when we have wisdom .

In the second reading , Paul clarifies with his wisdom (in theology) what will really happen with the dead when Christ comes again. The issue is not easy to handle. It concerns about the unknown future. Can we also make tentative theological conclusions, based on our reflections on the mystery of Christ? Do we have wisdom to formulate statements like that of Paul? When we evangelize and work hard for God, we will have a lot of wisdom .

In our churches, we should eradicate foolishness and require people to act with wisdom. We do this by imposing ongoing formations. Too bad that we have allowed our churches to be controlled, demeaned by simpletons who don’t read the Bible, don’t attend ongoing formations who don’t receive the sacraments who don’t believe in the Church’s teachings, or who don’t know the Church’s doctrines.

Acting with wisdom requires people to keep abreast with the latest theological trends and the signs of the times. We cannot act with wisdom if we are isolated from the community, from the Church, from the poor, and from our authorized shepherds.

The eucharist is a sacrament that makes us wise. The eucharist is only for those who act wisely according to God’s plan. The eucharist opens the doors for us to heaven.

Our Context of Sin and Grace Rush decisions Fatalistic No interest in reading, listening to experts No ongoing formation Outdated theology and knowledge Insists what is obsolete Discerning Prudent Wise Open Well-prepared, delivers services with chin up high The End

Suggested Songs When We Eat http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2PB-2sLAEU Sharing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1ij6D6EyeI

32nd Sunday A

32nd Sunday A

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32nd Sunday A