Bible Tje Hour You Dont Know
'Stay awake because you do not know either the day or the 60 minutes'
Thirty-second Sunday of the Year A
The parable of the foolish bridesmaids reminds us that we must not allow ourselves be distracted from what is really of import in our lives. Fr Adrian Graffy reflects.
Matthew 25:i-13
1 Jesus told this parable to his disciples: 'The kingdom of heaven will be similar this: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were sensible: 3 the foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, 4 whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil besides as their lamps. v The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and roughshod asleep. 6 But at midnight in that location was a cry, "The benedict is here! Get out and come across him." seven At this, all those bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps, 8 and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, "Give the states some of your oil: our lamps are going out." 9 But they replied, "There may not exist enough for us and for you; you lot had meliorate go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves." 10 They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door was closed. 11 The other bridesmaids arrived afterwards. "Lord, Lord," they said, "open up the door for us." 12 But he replied, "I do not know you lot." 13 So stay awake because you practise not know either the mean solar day or the hour.'
Other readings: Wisdom 6:12-16 Psalm 62 (63) 1 Thessalonians iv:xiii-xviii
Reflection
This parable, unique to the Gospel of Matthew, is i section of the fifth and final great speech of Jesus, which considers the end of the world and the gathering together of God'due south people. This final speech also contains the peachy drama of the judgement: 'Whenever y'all did this to the least of my brothers and sisters you did it to me.'
The parable of the x bridesmaids is full of symbols. Jesus is described as the bridegroom repeatedly in the four gospels. Earlier in this gospel (ix:15), in a reference to his passion and death, he spoke of himself equally 'the bridegroom who will be taken abroad'.
This image has its origins in the Jewish Scriptures, where the relationship of the people to God was compared to that of a bride to her husband. The Church, the new people of God, is rightly described as the helpmate of Christ. It is the role of the bridesmaid to back-trail and serve the bridegroom. We all take on this task from the time of our baptism. But will we be ready when the benedict appears?
The symbol of the lamp brings an even clearer allusion to Christian life and to the sacrament of baptism. We receive the low-cal of Christ when we are baptised, and nosotros are constantly challenged to keep the lite called-for brightly. This responsibility is reflected in the determination of the sensible bridesmaids not to let their lamps become out. The foolish bridesmaids, on the other hand, have immune themselves to be distracted from what is actually important in their lives.
Do I see my life every bit a preparation to meet the Lord?
Do I nourish my life with prayer and the sacraments?
We pray for those who accept lost their mode on the journey of life.
Nosotros ask for a deeper appreciation of the gifts the Lord bestows on us.
About Rev Dr Adrian Graffy
Rev Dr Adrian Graffy is a fellow member of the Vatican Committee that takes a pb in Bible scholarship, estimation and promotion in the Cosmic Church building.
Rev Dr Graffy said of his five-year appointment past Pope Francis in 2014: "It is an honour to be nominated by Pope Francis equally a member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission. I experience humbled and very much look forward to existence of service to His Holiness and the Church."
He added: "A great deal has been achieved in England and Wales in recent years by many co-workers to advance Biblical scholarship and the provision of piece of cake-to-employ resources. I would like to accept this opportunity to thank them and the Bishops' Conference Section for Evangelisation and Catechesis for their efforts to promote understanding and honey of the Bible, particularly through the publication of the teaching documents, The Gift of Scripture and the report guide to Verbum Domini, The Word of the Lord."
Rev Dr Graffy received his doctorate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Found in Rome in 1983. He taught for over twenty years in St John's Seminary in Wonersh, and is Chair of the National Scripture Working Grouping, which is an instrument of the Section for Evangelisation and Catechesis of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Fr Graffy is a past manager of Brentwood'south Commission for Evangelisation and Formation and parish priest of Christ the Eternal High Priest in Gidea Park, Essex. Amid his publications are the Gospel of Mark and the Letter to the Romans (Alive Publishing).
Mind to BBC Essex interview with Fr Adrian Graffy
Source: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/reflection/stay-awake-because-you-do-not-know-either-the-day-or-the-hour/
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