Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty First Sunday of Year, C – August 25, 2019.

 Readings: Is 66:18-21; Responsorial Psalm Ps 117:1, 2; 

Heb 12:5-7, 11-13; Gospel Luke 13:22-30.

Theme: The Hard Way, the Only Way

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, 1989 American thriller movie titled “The Hard Way, the Only Way” directed by Michele Massimo Tarantini in which a Special Forces team infiltrates the “Golden Triangle” between Brazil and Colombia to kidnap Pinheiro, Bolivia's notorious drug dealer, resonates with the message of the gospel. This is because, in the movie, the only way out for three government agents to outwit their pursuers and reach the “Mission de la Serra” to take Pinheiro captive and unmask the traitors was “the hard way, the only way.” The “The Hard Way, the Only Way” is “To follow the trail of death and destruction in a world where only the strong survive.”

This is why our liturgy cautions us about the way to perdition. It reveals that the way to destruction is wide while the road to heaven is narrow and difficult. It points to Jesus as the narrow and only gate to heaven. It particularly draws our attention to follow the Royal Road of the Cross. It charges Christians to avoid the temptation of following shut cuts by working out our salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). We shall take a look at the summary of the readings in order to draw some spiritual lessons.

Background and Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Is 66:18-21) reports that God would gather people from every nation under the earth to witness his glory. It notes that he would bring people from far distant islands to proclaim his splendor. It maintains that nations would gather on the holy mountain in Jerusalem where the people would offer sacrifices to the Lord.

The second reading (Heb 12:5-7, 11-13) highlights the fact that God disciplines his children because he loves them. The reading emphasizes that although at the time of trial suffering might seem unpleasant and painful, it is nonetheless part of training. The reading goes ahead to point at perseverance as an essential ingredient for the Christian life.

The gospel (Luke 13:22-30) narrates that Jesus as was going about towns and villages teaching and making his way to Jerusalem, someone asked him if only a few will be saved. And Jesus replied: “Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many ill try to enter and will not succeed.” He also made the point that once the Master locks the door, some people would come knocking and saying, we once ate and drank with you, you taught in our streets.

But then he would reply them: “I do not know where you come from. Away from me, all you wicked men.” He adds that there will weeping and grinding of teeth when they see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in heaven while they themselves turned outside. He notes that people would come from the east, west, north and south and take their places at the feast of heaven and those who are now first, would be last.

Pastoral Lessons

1. Salvation is Universal: Both the first reading and the gospel suggest that salvation is universal which means that God calls everyone to repentance and redemption.

2. Salvation Requires Earnest Effort: We are reminded that salvation requires our earnest effort because although the door is narrow and exclusive, the invitation to the kingdom is wide and all-inclusive.

3. Salvation Needs Urgent Attention: While Jesus’ analogy of the door was directed at the Jews who felt that as the chosen people they had the exclusive ticket to the joys of paradise, we are warned to be on red alert otherwise, others would make heaven ahead of us.

4. There are No Automatic Tickets: Just as being a Jew is not an automatic ticket for making heaven, being a Christian does not guarantee business class reservations. 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 might end up badly.

5. Economy Would Judge Business Class: Since the gospel suggests that the Gentiles who are faithful would make heaven and stand in judgement against the Jews, if we are not careful, those in economy class (the unchurchy) would judge those in business class (the churchy).

6. Karma is Sure: In Jewish practice, a rabbi often punished his disciple by 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, henceforth, resume early and remain faithful. This indicates the certainly of Karma or judgement at the end of time which involves shutting the door on those who are unfaithful to serve as deterrent to others on earth.

7. There are No Short Cuts: 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 is preparing our minds to the fact that there are no short cuts to heaven. Therefore, we ought to follow the Royal Road of the Cross.

8. Follow the Royal Road of the Cross: 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.

9. Familiarity Should Not Breed Contempt: 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 at the end of time.

Homiletic Quotes to Remember

1. Our liturgy today cautions us on the way to perdition.

2. It points to Jesus as the narrow and only gate to heaven.

3. It particularly draws our attention to follow the Royal Road of the Cross.

4. It charges Christians to avoid the temptation of following shut cuts.

5. [It challenges us to] work out our salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

Conclusion

The gist of our readings is that heaven will not be populated based on race or nationality. Rather, it would be populated by those who struggle to enter through the narrow gate of discipline, righteousness and faithfulness. Obviously, Jesus is the narrow and only gate. Little wonder the word of God says: “I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved” (John 10:9). This is why he constantly desires that we endure the qualms, trials, tribulations and temptations of this life so as to win the crown of eternal life.

Since the “The Hard Way, the Only Way” is “To follow the trail of death and destruction in a world where only the strong survive,” we are urged to endure the qualms of this life so as to defeat the “Pinheiros” that are blocking us from attaining heaven. May God help us as we struggle daily to enter through the narrow gate through Christ our Lord. Amen!