Note: this homily is for a children’s Mass

Many years ago, when I was living in Kenya, the community recognized certain people among them as the mzee, the elders. People that had not only lived a long life, but were recognized as having garnered wisdom from their life – from the difficulties, the mistakes, the successes – and now carried the treasure of that experience as wisdom that was available to the tribe. When people needed advice about an important decision or a difficult problem, they went to the wazee of the community.

What about us? To whom do we go if we have a difficult problem. If I have a pastoral dilemma I probably won’t go to Kindergarten to ask the students there for advice. I will go to chat with Fr. Jim or Fr. Chris. That’s me, what about you? You might ask your parents, your grandparents, or your teachers or a coach.

And yet, in today’s first reading, St. Paul tells us something surprising. He says that God sometimes chooses people whom the world considers weak or unimportant to show us something about His wisdom. And that includes children – perhaps even kindergarten kids.  Not because children know more than adults. There are lots of things you still need to learn. But it does mean that you have something to teach us. Let me give you an example.

Imagine that a new student comes to school. The student doesn’t know anyone. At lunchtime, everyone is sitting with their friends, talking and laughing. But the new student is sitting alone. I know that often adults will encourage students to sit with the new kids, but perhaps the adults are busy. Then one of you notices.

You simply walk over and say, “Would you like to sit with us?” It might seem like a very small thing.

But think about what just happened. You noticed someone whom others had overlooked. You recognized that someone needed a friend. And you did something about it. That’s a kind of wisdom.

And it brings us to today’s Gospel. Jesus tells us that when we care for someone who is hungry, lonely, sick, or in need, we are caring for Him. Jesus is telling us that sometimes we encounter him in people we might not even notice.

And perhaps that’s something children can teach adults, remind us when you notice things we miss. When you notice when someone is sad or being left out. When you notice when something isn’t fair. And when you take action – even as simple as “Would you like to sit with us?”

Of course, children don’t always get it right. Neither do adults. We all have things to learn. But here’s what I want you to remember. God doesn’t have to wait until you’re grown up before he can work through you.

You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room, or the strongest, or the oldest. You simply have to be willing to notice the people around you and respond with kindness and love.

As it says in the Book of Wisdom, Wisdom “makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her.” St. Paul reminds us that Wisdom finds the children worthy. So, be attentive to those around you. Because sometimes the wisest thing we can do is simply notice someone who needs us. And when you do, you may be helping the rest of us see the world a little more as God sees it.

Image credit: created by Dalle-3 on 8-26-26 with elements: word “Wisdom”, wooden letters, light bulb, warm wooden background

Today’s reflection is based on Matthew 25:1-13, the Parable of the Ten Virgins, and is part of our parish elementary school Friday Mass celebration. 

I grew up in Florida, where hurricanes were simply part of life. Back then storm tracking wasn’t nearly as good as it is today, so experience really mattered. Back then lots of new people began moving to Florida who had never experienced a hurricane.

One of our new neighbors worked in the aerospace industry. We assumed he was a “rocket scientist”—so obviously he was really smart. But being smart is one thing. Knowing how to prepare for a hurricane is another.

My dad was wise in the way hurricane preparedness and made an effort to share his experience and wisdom of how to prepare the house and the family for the experience. It was a lesson in character. Not only for us to prepare for the coming storm, but also to help the “hurricane rookies” prepare and make decisions about boarding windows, filling sandbags, taking in lawn furniture and plants – and the things “rookies” might not think about. You needed to have several days of food that did not need refrigeration. No electricity, no refrigerator. That means you needed easy to eat food, peanut butter and jelly, trail mix, a camp stove, and canned goods…. And a manual can opener. No electricity, no electric can opener.  

Trust me the list goes on and on: water, flashlights, batteries, and for our modern times: portable power banks for phones, cash because the ATMs and credit card machines might not work.

You get the point. Our neighbor was a “rocket scientist” but not wise in the way of hurricanes. My dad was wise in such things and was possessed of the character to share with our neighbors.

Today’s gospel is about wisdom.

Were the young women in the gospel smart? Maybe they were all the “rocket scientists” for their day. But it seems there were two kinds of young women described in the parable. The ones who brought extra oil and were prepared for the unexpected – in this case the late arrival of the bridegroom. Was the late arrival likely? Possible? Who knows, but it is a celebration and such things are prone to go “off schedule.” And so some were prepared and brought extra oil.  The others did not.  

Knowledge often comes from books; wisdom often comes from experience. The ones who brought extra oil thought ahead and acted responsibly. They did not know when the groom would arrive. They simply stayed ready. Wisdom means making good choices, not just knowing information.  Wisdom prepares for tomorrow.

How might this apply to you? 

• Pack your backpack the night before.
• Do your homework before it is due.
• Pray every day, not just when there’s a problem.

Wise people prepare before the moment arrives.

And there’s something interesting about the oil. When the moment comes, the young women can’t simply borrow readiness from somebody else. Some things have to become part of us before the moment arrives. 

You can get help with math from a teacher. You can get help with homework from your parents. But you cannot borrow somebody else’s kindness. You cannot borrow somebody else’s honesty. You cannot borrow somebody else’s friendship with Jesus.

And remember something else about my dad. His wisdom wasn’t just knowing what our family needed. Wisdom made him notice the family next door. He shared what he knew so they could get ready too. Christian wisdom doesn’t just ask, ‘Am I ready?’ It also asks, ‘Who can I help?’

Knowledge often comes from books; wisdom grows as we learn to make good choices.

Jesus tells us today: Don’t wait until the last minute to become the person God is calling you to be. Don’t wait until you need God to begin praying. Don’t wait until someone is lonely to learn kindness. Don’t wait until you’re tempted to lie to decide that honesty matters.

Every day we make little choices that put a little more oil in the lamp.

So this school year, learn as much as you can. Be smart. That’s one reason you’re here. But ask Jesus for something even greater. Ask him to make you wise. And every day, fill your lamp.

Be smart, but become wise.

Created by Dalle-3 on 8-26-26 with elements: word “Wisdom”, wooden letters, light bulb, warm wooden background