Twenty-First Sunday of Year, C – July 21, 2016.
Readings: Is 66:18-21; Responsorial Psalm Ps 117:1, 2; Heb 12:5-7, 11-13; Gospel Lk 13:22-30.
Theme: The Narrow Gate: Point of Entry!
Our liturgy today draws our attention to enter through the narrow gate. In the gospel (Lk 13:22-30). Some scripture scholars suggest that what Jesus meant by that statement is twofold. First, that salvation requires our earnest effort because the door is narrow and exclusive, not wide and all-inclusive and second, that salvation requires our most urgent attention.
Other scholars suggest that the saying was directed at the Jews who felt that as the chosen people, they had the exclusive ticket to the joys of paradise.
In Jewish practice, a rabbi often punished his disciple by way of shutting down the door when the disciple arrives late. The disciple could be told not to come back for a week.That way, the disciple is expected to resume early and remain faithful henceforth.
By answering the question someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” with the statement “strive to enter through the narrow gate..." Jesus prepared the minds of his audience that: First, being a Jew is not a criteria for making heaven and second, faithful gentiles would make heaven and stand in judgement against the Jews.
The same applies to Christians and Catholic-Christians at that. If we busy ourselves with the pompous mentality that we have been saved or we belong to the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church without concretely applying ourselves to the demands of the gospel namely, taking up our crosses daily to follow Jesus, we would end up badly.
Indeed, Jesus is the door. Little wonder the word of God says: "I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved" (John 10:9). Through the cross, Jesus opens the door for us to overcome trials, tribulations and temptations like economic and financial bankruptcy, unemployment, lack of admission, failure in exams, heart-break, hunger, sickness and even death. The second reading (Heb 12:5-7, 11-13) highlights that God disciplines his children to bring "the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it." Perseverance is essential. Jesus' warning about being contented with familiarity is instructive. Perhaps you are waiting to say, "We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets." Listen to his response: "‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!" The implication is clear - If we refuse to do his will and console ourselves with, "After all, I am baptised, a communicant and a confirmed catholic," we may be shown the red card. The words of the first reading (Is 66:18) "I know their works and their thoughts..." are sacrosanct. God knows us through and through. He desires our love and commitment. The prophet Isaiah assures that the Lord also desires to gather tribes from every nation to see his glory. The gist of our readings is that heaven will not be populated based on race or nationality. May the Holy Spirit help us to enter through the narrow gate of discipline and faithfulness!
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