GIVE US SOME OF YOUR OIL...

HOMILY FOR THE 32^ND SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Rev. Fr. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

When we were in the Seminary undergoing training for the Catholic Priesthood, some students were infamously known as those who arrive at any gathering at the very last minute (the last second). These students were known as the ‘touch liners’. The funny part of it was that when by mistake they arrived early, they would patiently wait at the entrance doors of the chapel so as to maintain their legacy. Now, It was always the occasion that spiritual activities in the Chapel must always begin with the signal of a double knock by the regulator. As they crowded at the chapel door, they would eagerly listen to the sound of the first knock to be able to hop in within the time in-between the two knocks. The noisy scenario these touch-liners created was so disturbing. Looking at their faces, one sees the feeling of those who have frustrated an authority expecting to punish them for lateness.

And by the way, the word ‘touch line’ is borrowed from the world of sports where the touch line is a line that marks the border limits of the pitch. Hence, the Chapel door marked the border limits between lateness and earliness. The first auxiliary (the highest of all the student authorities) had thought to himself a way of cubing this menace. No one knew his plan until that fateful day when the touch-liners had wanted to do what they know how to do best. Immediately the first knock went, the auxiliary together with the other student authorities who were invisibly and strategically placed at the different doors halted those latecomers, and that day their former countenance of victory was turned to one of victim. You can imagine how the story ended. Every day is for the thief, one day is for the house owner. The point is that there are certain names which cannot be answered at the last minute. The touch-liners wanted to answer early comers at the last minute. And this is one of the strongest points of the Gospel of today.

 

In the Gospel (Matt. 25:1-13), Jesus presents us with the parable of the wise and foolish virgins to teach the need for preparedness and readiness. The theme of our homily repeats the very words that came out as a result of the unpreparedness of the foolish virgins. The foolish virgins were so called because they were not futuristic about what they needed. They failed to plan well. They, like the touch-liners were cunning about being calculative. They did not weigh the volume of the oil they had with the time they would spend, and if they had weighed, they wanted to economize the oil for a long period which was not tenable. Hence, they expected to succeed just as the touch-liners expected to succeed every time. They expected to succeed as those who prepared well, and had surplus oil in case the ones in their lamps failed. They wanted to be called wise while being foolish, just as the touch-liners wanted to be on time, while being late. Now, the wise virgins were so called because they were the direct opposites of the foolish ones. They planned well, prepared for any eventuality, and had extra oils.  

There are certain things which cannot be obtained in the last minute. It is far too late for a student who has failed an examination to expect to be promoted. That was the case of Bobby. The day seemed so long for Bobby who had failed his examination, and had been told to repeat the class. He was so uncomfortable because he knew how disappointed the parents would be if he came home with such result. He went to his teacher and pleaded to be passed, weeping and recounting to the teacher how bitter the parents would be if he went home with such a result. His own life would even be under serious threat as he expected to be beaten beyond measure. It was at this time of failure that Bobby remembered all the words of the parents to him advising him against failure. He remembered the parents telling him that failure and repetition of classes does not just do great harm to the student involved but also does great harm to the finance of the family as the family would again repeat the payment of the previous year. He remembered how the father pulled his ear and warned him whenever he paid the tuition fees. The tension in him grew. The teacher looked at him and laughed; and then gave him a queer piece of advice: go and tell that student over there that took the first position to exchange her result with yours. It was then that Bobby realized that it was over. The time was over. He had no time again to rework his result. He misused his precious time, and must now face the repercussion of his laziness and negligence.

Just like Bobby, it is far too late for a person who desired to be teacher, wastes his/her time during his/her youths and then expects to be later on given appointments in Schools without any certificate. It is late for a girl who has damaged her womb as a result of a promiscuous life to expect to bear twins immediately she gets married. It is far too late for a person who refuses to use his/her talent when the opportunity came to be weeping when others with same skill get it. What you do not use, you lose. A merchant who is only good at squandering money should not expect a miracle to occur in his business, just like it is foolish on the side of a banker who embezzled money recklessly to expect not to be caught during the audition. To be late is always a tragedy. Many a time, we are prone to leaving things so late that we no longer prepare ourselves to meet with God. Teach us Lord to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom (Ps. 90:12).

 

Another strong point that this parable warns us against is that there are certain things which cannot be borrowed. You cannot eat your cake and at same time have it. The foolish virgins found it impossible to borrow oil when they discovered they needed it. This is how a man cannot borrow a relationship with God. He must possess it. That one is not borrowable. A man cannot claim to be living on the spiritual capital of the parents. There are certain things we must win or acquire for ourselves, for we cannot borrow them from others. You cannot borrow certificates and qualifications; you cannot borrow another man’s skill; you cannot borrow another girl’s virginity, you cannot borrow another’s priesthood, you cannot borrow another’s wife, you cannot borrow another’s sacramental conferment such as baptiam, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, etc. When you get the opportunity to achieve things on your own, do it, before it reaches the point at which it becomes difficult to achieve it neither will it be easy to borrow.

To be prepared always and to discover those things that cannot be borrowed, we need wisdom. We need to tap from the intellect of the wise virgins. They carried extra oil. They knew that the coming of the bridegroom may not happen as they expected. The First Reading (Wisdom 6:12-16) gives us an exhortation to seek wisdom. Wisdom has many qualities that make her worthy of being sought. Wisdom is visible. It can be easily seen by all who love her (v.12). Wisdom is available and accessible. It is easily found by anyone who searches for her. She even makes herself known in anticipation of men’s desire. Anyone who truly searches for wisdom cannot be disappointed. She gives to those who posses her ability to plan prudently and well. She looks into the future. Wisdom is mobile. She is always going to those who need her. Now, who gives this Wisdom? Wisdom 9:4.6.9 answers the question. Wisdom comes from the throne of God. Wisdom comes from God. With God is wisdom. To God belong wisdom and understanding (Job 12:13). We must then pray for this wisdom (cf. Wisdom 9). May God shower you with this wisdom. Amen. This wisdom for readiness and preparedness I wish you this week and always. God bless you.