St. Augustine of Hippo, bishop & doctor 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

1 Corinthians 1:17-25

For Christ did not send me to baptize,

But to proclaim his Gospel. And not with beautiful words! That would be like getting rid of the cross of Christ. The language of the cross remains nonsense for those who are lost. Yet for us who are saved, it is the power of God, as Scripture says: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and make fail the foresight of the foresighted. 

Masters of human wisdom, educated people, philosophers, you have no reply! And the wisdom of this world? God let it fail.  At first God spoke the language of wisdom, and the world did not know God through wisdom. Then God thought of saving the believers through the foolishness that we preach.

 The Jews ask for miracles and the Greeks for a higher knowledge, while we proclaim a crucified Messiah. For the Jews, what a great scandal! And for the Greeks, what nonsense! But he is Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God for those called by God among both Jews and Greeks.

 In reality, the “foolishness” of God is wiser than humans, and the “weakness” of God is stronger than humans.

 

Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Matthew 25:1-13

  This story throws light on what will happen in the king­dom of heaven. Ten bridesmaids went out with their lamps to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were careless while the others were sensible.

The careless bridesmaids took their lamps as they were and did not bring extra oil. But those who were sensible, brought with their lamps flasks of oil. As the bridegroom delayed, they all grew drowsy and fell asleep.

 But at midnight, a cry rang out: ‘The bridegroom is here, come out and meet him!’ All the maidens woke up at once and trimmed their lamps. Then the careless ones said to the sensible ones: ‘Give us some oil, for our lamps are going out.’  

The sensible ones answered: ‘There may not be enough for both you and us. You had better go to those who sell and buy for yourselves.’  They were out buying oil when the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him to the wed­ding feast, and the doors were shut.

Later the rest of the bridesmaids arrived and called out: ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered: ‘Truly, I do not know you.’ So, stay awake, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

 

Gospel Reflection：

For Jesus wisdom is not some kind of higher knowledge. Rather it is an attitude of someone in deep relationship. It is prudence marked by sustained alertness or watchfulness.

One prolongs watchfulness only for something or someone so significant. His or her entire life is poured on it. It is like a mother staying awake for what her baby needs overnight.

It is the same with a scientist not losing eye on a subject of experiment botanists continually watchfull over plants, astronomers continually alert for a new planet, and more.

Wisdom is not the knowledge gained by these scientists from their experiment but their sustained relationship with their beloved subjects. The five wise maidens desire a relationship with the groom by being part of his party.

At that, they determine beforehand the possible obstacles for that desired participation. That is the wisdom God asks from all of us.