The Christian life has a different conception of wisdom to the world. What appears like foolishness – preparing for the coming of the Lord, for example – is actually a sign of holy wisdom. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass.
Readings for Friday of week 21 of ordinary time (memorial of St Augustine, Bishop and Doctor) can be found here.
It’s often said that an election isn’t won or lost during the few weeks of campaigning before polling day. In reality it boils down to the work that the parties have been doing in the years prior. Have they kept their promises? Have they delivered on what they said last time? No amount of slick advertising in those final weeks can make up for wasted years.
In today’s parable Jesus sets up a contrast between those who have left things to the last minute and those who have planned ahead. The foolish virgins think they can scrabble around for oil when the bridegroom is at the door; the wise ones have been ready for a long while. It’s another warning from Jesus for us to be always ready for when he comes again.
At first glance there might seem to be a tension between this message and what Paul says in our first reading. He appears to criticise the “wisdom of the wise” and instead commends the “foolishness of God”. But Paul is really attacking a worldly kind of wisdom, a false wisdom that says all can be sorted out at the last minute. A false wisdom that promises the earth but doesn’t say how it will be paid for. A false wisdom that says oil will miraculously turn up. Instead the wise virgins demonstrate the wisdom that looks like foolishness to the world – a belief and trust that the bridge groom will indeed arrive soon, even when others doubt it.
Mass today is in St Saviour’s at 10am.
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