YEAR B: HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 21ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (1)
YEAR B: HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 21ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
HOMILY THEME: TOMORROW MAY NEVER COME
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
(Mt. 25:1-13) Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel we have the parable of the ten virgins. We are aware of the story.
The groom was taking more than the expected time to arrive. Meanwhile, five of the ten virgins were running out of oil for their lamps. They were forced to leave their place and try to find oil. Unfortunately, while they were out looking for oil, the groom came and they were left out of the celebration.
The groom here represents Jesus. It is about His second coming. It tells us that we need to prepare when He comes. We ought not to be caught “without oil” which is not in the state of holiness. And we do not know when He will come. This is interesting. Why would it be a “surprise”? Is Jesus playing games with us? Jesus knew the human psyche perfectly. He knew that if we were told of His coming, we will cram, i.e. we will only prepare when the end is near. But if we do not know when, we will always prepare. Some may gamble but, eventually, they will prepare. We live knowing that tomorrow may never come. We are aware that judgment will come. It will be wrong to stake our salvation by believing that the hour has not yet come. We ate encouraged to be vigilant, to be worthy always. Like the ten wise virgins, we will be there when the Lord comes and receive with joy the salvation He merited for us.