Homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2026
Readings: Wisdom 6:12-16; Psalm 63; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13
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The message of today’s parable could not be simpler: ‘Stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour’. We had a good example of same during the week. There was King Charles in the Caribbean with the Commonwealth Heads of Government. Charles was generally in good form, joking that he had the pleasure of meeting so many prime ministers – as he said: ‘almost as many as I’ve had at home!’ He and Queen Camilla were reviewing a military parade for the 45th anniversary of Antigua. Without warning, there was a tropical downpour. Camilla beat a hasty retreat declaring, ‘I give up.’ Charles stood resolute and was soaked. He was most displeased, calling, ‘Where’s the umbrella?’ The king later saw the funny side, telling the Antiguan prime minister: ‘I think I’m about to grow watercress on my suit!’ The lesson for the king’s many minders was simple and stark: ‘Stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour’.
The Matthean community had engaged in a long running debate between those Jews who adhered to much of their traditional teachings and the Gentiles who came fresh to Christianity. The Gentiles tended to be strong believers in the Parousia of Jesus. They were waiting for the Lord’s second coming. They wanted to be prepared whenever it might happen. They were like the wise virgins in the parable, with their lamps ready whatever the hour of the bridegroom’s arrival. They had oil reserves that would see them through the night, though presumably not enough to share with the unwise virgins who just lived for the moment, failing to stock sufficient oil to see themselves through the night.
Scripture scholar Daniel Harrington tells us, ‘In the Matthean context …the parable of the ten maidens is another comment on the relation between the Matthean community (with its attitude of constant watchfulness in light of the uncertain coming of the Son of Man) and their Jewish opponents (with their suspicion about apocalyptic and their disinterest in talk about the Son of Man’s coming).’[1]
We moderns are not like the Matthean community debating whether the second coming might be just around the corner. A couple of thousand years on, we have no expectation that life on planet earth as we know it could come to an end tomorrow. Nonetheless, for us contemporary Christians, a good rule of thumb is to live as if each day might be our last, even if it not be the last for the whole of humanity.
During the week we celebrated All Souls Day when we called to mind our loved ones who have died. We know some who lived life to the full, having no cause for regret when life had run its course. We know others who had plenty of cause for regret. We can make an allegory of today’s parable viewing those who lived life to the full as the wise virgins, and those who had cause for regret as the unwise virgins.
None of us knows when the tropical downpour of life will come. Let’s pray and ensure that we always have the umbrella of the Lord’s love and mercy at hand. Let’s pray and watch for wisdom:
Whoever watches for wisdom at dawn shall not be disappointed,
for that person shall find her sitting by their gate.
For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence,
and whoever for her sake keeps vigil
shall quickly be free from care;
because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her,
and graciously appears to them in the ways,
and meets them with all solicitude.
Undoubtedly there will be times when, like Camilla, we exclaim, ‘I give up.’ But there will also be times when, like Charles, we wisely stand resolute, hoping that the umbrella is at hand. Even when we are troubled, angry or upset, let’s find the humour and forgiveness to put others at ease – as did Charles, knowing that the unexpected downpour is an invitation to be gentle and humble of heart.
Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO, Adjunct Professor of Thomas More Law School at ACU and Adjunct Research Professor at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, is a former Rector of Newman College, University of Melbourne, and CEO of Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA). His latest books include Pope Francis: the Disruptive Pilgrims Guide (ATF Theology, 2025), and Equality, Reconciliation and Social Cohesion: The Inspiration of Sir William Deane (Connor Court, 2026).
[1] Daniel J. Harrington, The Gospel of Matthew, Sacra Pagina Series (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2007), 351.
