21st Friday in Ordinary time, YR 2, August 26, 2022
1 Cor 1:17-25; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11; Mt 25:1-13
As Catholic Christians, we have some of the most powerful weapons at our disposal, and they are prayer, the cross, and the rosary. If only we would be wise enough to use them in our battles. There has been some recent activity around the world to “weaponize” our Christianity, and especially our Catholic identity. To use it for political means. Don’t do it. Don’t let yourself get sucked into the political nature of the world and hide behind Christianity. Jesus warned us multiple times about that. Instead, pick up your cross, and carry it.
St. Paul reminds us in the first reading about using our faith for nefarious gains. Jesus did not come for political reasons; he came to rescue us from those who would attempt to use our faith for personal or political gain. “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of the learned I will set aside.” A strong warning, to make sure we are focused on the right goal. The goal of the salvation of our souls. That is the message Jesus brought to us, He came for the sinners, for those who are lost and need to be found. Not to take down some political regime, but to save us, to save all humankind from eternal damnation.
Jesus reminds us of this again in the parable of the ten virgins. Are we prepared, are we vigilant, have we brought the oil for our lamps? Or are we like the fools who came unprepared and now want some of our oil? We do not know the hour or day Jesus will return, but we must remain prepared. Sit at the foot of the cross in prayer and ask God for the strength and courage for all we need. Pray the rosary as often as you can. Use these tools in the spiritual battle we are fighting. Just remember, it is not the world we are fighting, it is the evil one. Anything else is just foolishness. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Saint James Catholic Church 