November Reflection:

Reminders at the year's end…

November always seems a month that calls us to a few sobering realities: winter isn't too far off and summer is! The Sunday readings set before us these weeks from the end of Matthew's Gospel fit well with this awareness that settles upon us and they serve to remind us of the need for discipline and attentiveness.

There are 5 major blocks of material that give a shape to the Gospel of Matthew. These 5 discourses gather together teachings of Jesus and instruction for the community of Matthew. In the 5th of these discourses called the Eschatological Discourse, the focus of teaching is on how to live anticipating the end times. There are three parables embedded in the discourse that fit well with this November attitude of discipline and attentiveness. These include the parable of "The Faithful Servant" (Mt 24:42-51) "The Wise and Foolish Bridesmaids" (Mt 25: 1-13) and "The Talents" (Mt 25:14-30).

Attentive reading of these parables challenges our tendency to complacency. Indeed a careful reading of any of the parables will do this if we let them surprise us and not simply repeat the same message. They are living texts, part of the living word of God. The importance of attentiveness and preparedness should also describe the way we receive the familiar word of God with new ears. For sure we may not sit and await the imminent return of Christ, perhaps the original message of these parables, but for each of us, wherever we are in life, it is important for us to be attentive to the daily ways that God comes to us. These can often catch us by surprise. If we are prepared in these daily small ways we will be prepared for God's coming in the more dramatic encounters in life and at its end.

A particular favorite of mine among these parables is the one about the 10 Bridesmaids. This year, this was not heard on the 31st Sunday as the Church observed instead the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (Nov 8/9). So just a refresher: five of the Bridesmaids are described as "foolish" the other five are "wise". The designation is based on their preparedness. The wise ones bring along an extra reserve of oil for their lamps. The Foolish did not and ran out of oil. A point that regularly strikes students of this text is "how selfish that the wise would not share with the foolish. They might be wise but they are not generous!" One of the possible points of this parable has to do with the way the five wise bridesmaids seemed to know the importance of their mission, prepared for any eventuality and anticipated the delay. They invested themselves in the effort and planned for a successful outcome. They gave thought and made provisions so all would go well. It was of the greatest priority!

At issue here is more than lamp oil! The wise bridesmaid prepared, thought, anticipated and waited. Their reserves gave them the right to enter into the wedding feast. What of our own spiritual reserves, our preparedness for what is of greatest importance in our life? Our investment in this priority is something so valuable that we are not expected to share this with others. Doing so would place our own spiritual welfare in jeopardy. No one can demand this "oil" of us; no one has a right to this! It is ours! Sometimes our generosity can leave us depleted. Is it "wise" for us to allow this? How do we replenish our reserves?

Earlier in the Gospel, Matthew again uses the comparison of the wise and foolish. In Ch 7: 24-27 he contrasts house builders -- one who builds on a rock foundation, one on sand. The comparison is clearly set forth: The one who builds his life on the word of God will be secure. Those whose lives are built on sand can surely not withstand the desert storms. Do these then become the foolish ones who look to the wise to keep them replenished?

There is urgency about these parables. Earlier in the Gospel Jesus says: "Knock and the door will be open…" but here, the door is shut to those who have not prepared. We cannot rely on the reserves of others and others have no right to make demands that would tap our necessary reserves. We each will need all that we can garner for ourselves. It gives us much to ponder during these days about what are the important investments we make in our future! There are no "second chances" here! Indeed, some sobering realities. by Barbara Shanahan