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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

“Homily — 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A” • Father Valentine Young, OFM

Jeff Ostrowski · November 2, 2020

The following is by Father Valentine Young, OFM, a faithful Catholic priest who died on 17 January 2020. It was delivered sometime between 2013 and 2020. To learn more about Father Valentine, please scroll to the bottom of the page.

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

*  PDF Download • READINGS IN ENGLISH
—Taken from the Saint Isaac Jogues Illuminated Missal, Gradual, and Lectionary.

HE GOSPEL for today has been used for centuries in the traditional calendar in Masses for celebrations of the feasts of virgins like, Saint Clare, Saint Scholastica, Saint Catherine, Saint Margaret Mary, and many others. The reason is easy to see. These saints were ready to meet the bridegroom when He came for them. They were not like the foolish virgins who were unprepared. This Gospel passage may be chosen for a funeral Mass in the post-conciliar (“Vatican II”) rite of funerals. Now, I must admit that I have never been at any funeral in which this was the Gospel passage chosen. It probably doesn’t fit the mentality—incidentally, an erroneous and dangerous mentality—of thinking that everyone is necessarily going to go to heaven. At least from this Gospel parable, things didn’t look too auspicious for those virgins who had run out of oil…(!)

Running out of oil: I wonder how many different answers would we get, if I asked: “What did Jesus really mean by running out of oil?” Rather than wasting a lot of time by speculating, I’m going to tell you bluntly that He meant not having sanctifying grace at the moment of your death. And the cold fact of the matter is that we can’t share it with others; neither can others share it with us. This is definitely an “each man to and for himself job.”

First reading: And today I must admit that I didn’t find it too hard to connect the Gospel reading with the First Reading. Summarily, the First Reading tells us about the great value of wisdom. In past sermons I know I have tried to point out the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is having the facts. Wisdom is knowing what to do with them. The wise person will act and judge not only in regard to how something affects him or her now, but how something might affect him or her in the long run—especially in eternity. That is why we speak of these wise virgins in contrast to the foolish ones.

Wise use of gift of time: The easiest interpretation of this section of St. Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians is that these early Christians—including St. Paul himself—were expecting the second coming of Christ to happen soon. And it seems they were looking forward to it. Now obviously they were wrong, because it has not happened yet. Yet this does not militate against what we call the “inerrancy” of the Bible. The Bible just recalls facts the way things were. The Bible isn’t saying that the end of the world was coming soon at that time; it just says that some of the people thought it was. However I think we might tie in that idea in how we might want to live. If we are truly wise we will try to live and use our time as if the end of the world—(and if not the end of the world, at least our own end)—is just around the corner. We are certainly going to be prepared by being in the state of grace, and perhaps we will be using our time in praying more, rather than sitting in front of a Television set, or an iPhone or some other gadget.

Conclusion: Many years ago, when I was first being given some instructions about driving, someone jokingly and yet with a bit of seriousness told me, “Always drive as if you thought there was a policeman right in back of you!” That would certainly keep one from speeding and doing anything else illegal. My advice is: “Live wisely; the day you are living may be your last!” +

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: SERMON 32 Ordinary Time A, Valentine Young SERMON Last Updated: November 3, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“There’s a world of difference between a thoughtful, wise Catholic and a bitter contrarian. In spite of what is claimed on certain blogs, being addicted to cable news and twitter does not make one an intellectual.”

— Jeff Ostrowski

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