by Msgr. Joseph Calise

The long form of today’s second reading from Saint Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians ends with the words, “Console one another with this message.” Those words might seem standard enough until we put them into their context.  In this section of the letter, Paul is talking about the final times and assuring his friends that God will bring to life those who die as Christians. It is only within the context of faith that death and consolation coexist.

Beginning with last week’s celebrations of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, this month is generally a time to remember that this life is not meant to be permanent and that those who have gone before us have not “gone away” but “gone toward.” The readings at Mass also start to lead us toward the Feast of Christ the King and the First Sunday of Advent later this month.  So, all in all, we are being drawn into a reflection on the realities of death and life after death. Contrary to the first reaction of human nature, our reflections lead toward the consolation Saint Paul promises.

Although it is very natural to feel sadness when someone we love dies, it is also important to realize that the sadness we feel is for ourselves. We sense that somehow our lives are going to be diminished. As time begins to heal the wound, we begin to understand our loved one’s dying more from their perspective than our own. The Rite of Christian Funerals emphasizes not death and sorrow but resurrection and reward. They have, we pray, fought the good fight and found their peace.

The message of consolation becomes a challenge of preparation when we turn the focus from the death of our loved ones to an acceptance that one day each of us will be called to the Lord. The Gospel parable invites us to watchfulness – not to fear. All 10 bridesmaids knew the groom would be coming; they just did not know when. Some were wise enough to be prepared and others were not. It is no surprise that those who were prepared were rewarded for their diligence and the others punished.

We know that careful preparation usually helps secure a positive outcome.  Students who study do well on tests. Athletes who practice do better in competition. Think for a moment of the advice we would give to a pregnant woman. Would anyone think, knowing what we know today, to offer her a cigarette and a martini?  Absurd!  Not only because we know the effect it could have on her but also because we know the effect it could have on the life she is carrying within her. Rather, we would suggest a healthy diet and only those things that would keep her and the baby healthy. We know that what happens to the child in the womb affects the quality of life after birth.

It is not hard to picture this life as a womb. We are here to be prepared for another birth, birth to eternal life. But the health of that life depends not only on God’s grace but also on how well we prepare.  Receiving the sacraments, being steadfast in prayer, and performing corporal (To feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to shelter the homeless, to clothe the naked, to visit and ransom the captive, to visit the sick, to bury the dead)  and spiritual (To instruct the uninformed, to counsel the doubtful, to admonish sinners, to bear wrongs patiently, to forgive offenses willingly, to comfort the afflicted, to pray for the living, the sick and the dead) works of mercy.  Simply put, by living as much in imitation of Christ as we can.

This month our Church remains mindful of the faithful departed and of the promises we pray are theirs.  Today’s readings remind us that one day life after life will also be offered to us. As we pray for their peace, we pray that same peace will one day be ours.[hr] Readings for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
    Wisdom 6: 12-16
    Psalm 63: 2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
    1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 or 4:13-14    
    Matthew 25:1-13[hr]
Msgr. Calise is the pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, Williamsburg.