Sunday Reflections

 

First Reading:	Wisdom 6.12-16
Second Reading:	1 Thessalonians 4.13-18
Gospel:	Matthew 25.1-13 – The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

 

Living with a Holy Fear

In today’s Gospel we hear the parable of the ten bridesmaids in which only the five wise ones who had prepared for the wedding banquet were allowed to enter into the celebration. Jesus ends this parable with the exhortation to “keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” It is true that none of us know the time of our own death or Christ’s Final Judgement.

While this reality can lead many to fear and trembling, the Catechism instead calls us to cultivate a “holy fear” and a “blessed hope” (CCC 1041). We can cultivate those attitudes by intentionally calling to mind the finiteness of our lives and remembering that we are all ultimately made for Heaven. This reality is beautifully summarized in the words of St. Rose of Viterbo. "Live so as notto fear death. For those who live well in the world, death is not frightening but sweet and precious.”

Let us also remember that during our judgment before God we will be standing before the same Lord that we have befriended through prayer and the sacraments. Let us not appear before the throne of God not having first known Him in this life. As stewards, we should live with our feet planted on earth but our eyes fixed heavenward. The Lord has ordained it in such a way that we are still called to serve and love Him in this life but let us never forget our true home. Let us prepare ourselves well.

Summary

While the thought of death and judgement can lead many to fear and trembling the Catechism instead calls us to cultivate a “holy fear” and a “blessed hope” (CCC 1041). St. Rose of Viterbo says that we should "live so as not to fear death. For those who live well in the world, death is not frightening but sweet and precious.” As stewards let us strive to prepare for death by remembering that we will stand before the same Lord at judgement that we meet every day in prayer and at Mass.