Homily for Sunday, November 8, 2026
Wisdom 6:12-16, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13
We are a couple Sundays away from the end of the liturgical year. The last Sundays of the liturgical year speak to us about the last things (Eschatology). These are: death, judgement, Parousia or second coming of Christ, resurrection, heaven, purgatory and hell. These are difficult tenets of our faith and a nightmare for preachers. Actually, many parish priests avoid preaching on them altogether and, during this time, give annual reports in place of homilies.
I Would like to begin this reflection with a question: Our Creed concludes thus: I look forward to resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. How does our looking forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life to come influence our thinking, choices, attitudes, behaviors, and conduct? Paul in the second reading tells the Thessalonians that their hope in the resurrection should influence all the aspects of their life: thinking, behavior emotions, and actions. How about us? Our hope in the resurrection should make us wise and humble.
Our first reading is like a poem in praise of wisdom. The author of Wisdom valued wisdom more than wealth and physical strength just like those with this saying; “Obwengye buri amaani.” Peoples world over understood wisdom as the art of a good life. Even if a person did not have any specific academic qualifications but as long as they were prudent, knew how to control their instincts, acted with caution, were loyal, honest and sincere in their words and actions, humble and modest, such a person was considered wise. We can use the same standard to find out if we are wise or not.
Wisdom is considered the first and greatest gift of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. It helps believers make sound, peace loving, and merciful choices- guiding conduct through difficulties, resolving conflicts, and imitating the life and character of Jesus. In this context, it is possible to have a wise person who has never gone to school and also a foolish PhD holder or one highly learned but stupid. The reading says that whoever finds wisdom will experience peace of mind. It is most likely that where there is no peace there is no wisdom but rather self-interest, emotions, impulsivity, unnecessary cares. In short, foolishness.
In today’s parable, Jesus likens the kingdom of God to wise and foolish virgins or bridesmaids. However, some particulars of this parable are quite strange if not contradictory: Why didn’t the foolish virgins enter with the little oil they had since their lamps had not yet gone out? The reason is simple; they were foolish. Do you think the wise virgins were setting a good example of generosity by refusing to share some of their oil with the foolish ones? The exhortation to stay awake seems to have nothing to do with the parable. Didn’t the wise virgins also fall asleep? Who was awake then? No body. The conduct of the bridegroom is surprising! He arrives at an impossible hour of the night, locks the door, and does not let in those who have gone to buy oil yet their lamps were going out because of his delay in coming. This is a parable and as we know in such stories not everything is logical. Particulars are at times introduced to impress listeners in order to draw their attention and to drive home an important message easily.
Context of the parable: Weddings were solemn and lasted about a week. On the first day, the bridegroom would go to the house of his in-laws to receive his bride and take her to his house. The bridegroom was welcomed by the bride and her friends-the girls of the village not yet married. The friends would dance and sing as they accompanied the bride to her new home where the wedding feast would take place.
Jesus uses this very common and ordinary event to give an important teaching about the kingdom of God and the Church-the bride of Christ. Like the bridesmaids some members of the church are ready for the coming of Christ and others are not. We need to be wise always by having our lamps ready with enough oil, that is, we need to be always prepared, watchful and attentive.
In the second reading, Paul in one of the most profound treatise on hope in the resurrection, exhorts the Thessalonians and us not to be anxious about the end times and Jesus’ return. Rather, we should live a holy life instead of sitting back idly and wait for Jesus’ return.
It appears the Thessalonians were grieving the believers who died while awaiting the return of Jesus as they thought they would not have a chance to meet Jesus when he returned.
First of all, even though we firmly believe in the resurrection, the death of a loved one deprives us of his/her company, so grief is both natural and inevitable . Also, grieving is necessary for healing. So, Paul doesn’t suggest that we should not grieve, but rather, that we should not grieve like those who do not have hope in the resurrection.
Christ’s death and resurrection constitute the Central doctrine of our faith. The resurrection of Christ is real because Paul personally experienced the risen Lord and from his experience argued that if then we believe that Jesus died and rose again, it stands to reason that God will raise in Jesus those who have died. Therefore, all the faithful, whether dead, or alive, will be equally advantaged when Jesus comes.
So, the main point our readings make is that, when Jesus comes again, he will save the faithful and judge the wicked. So, we need to be virgins all the time (undefiled) and not foolish but wise (prepared and ready with works of righteousness).
Fr. Nazario Atukunda.