First Reading
Wisdom 6:12-16
1. In this reading people are looking for Wisdom at the same time that Wisdom is searching for them. What does your “wanting wisdom” do for your “receiving wisdom”? Explain the following line from this reading. “…Whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate.”
2. How is wisdom different from knowledge? Does either one enable you to see beyond the surface of things into their depths? Where do you think wisdom is most needed in your life? Can you think of any part of life on earth that does not need some wise knowledge?
Second Reading
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
or 4:13-14
1. Is there anything you would do differently if you thought your own “end time” was soon to come?
2. If people have been “caught up” with Christ (loving God and loving their neighbor with compassion) do you think there will be a big difference for them once they have “fallen asleep”?
Gospel
Matthew 25:1-13
1. Jesus’ parable is about being watchful and well prepared. What kinds of things would you do to make sure you were one of those “who were ready”? Have compassion on the sick? On the homeless? the planet? victims of prejudice? When you watch for God in your life do you sometimes “doze off”?
2. What is the “oil of charity” that Pope Francis refers to in his Angelus discussion of the parable of the ten virgins?
It is clear that with this parable, Jesus wants to tell us that we must be prepared for the encounter with him. Not only for the final encounter, but also for the everyday great and small encounters, with a view to that encounter for which the lamp of faith is not enough; we also need the oil of charity and good works.
… When one makes the present absolute, one looks only to the present, losing the sense of expectation, which is so beautiful and so necessary, and also pulls us away from the contradictions of the moment. This attitude—when one loses the sense of expectation—precludes any view of the hereafter: we do everything as if we will never depart for the other life.
… We must live today, but a today that goes towards tomorrow, towards that encounter, a present full of hope. … The Lord will be able to come even while we are sleeping: this will not worry us, because we have the reserve of oil accumulated through our daily good works, accumulated with that expectation of the Lord, that he may come as soon as possible and that he may come to take us with him.
Pope Francis, Nov. 8, 2020
Angelus for 32 Ord A
