Is 66:18-21
Ps 117:1, 2
Heb 12:5-7, 11-13
Lk 13:22-30 Full Readings
The Narrow Gate
This Sunday's readings and reflection is an invitation to reflect deeply on our last encounter with the Lord as we knock on the door of heaven asking the Lord to let us in. Sometimes, we do not take serious our last reckoning and things of the end of time thinking that they are speculations, that there is no such thing like life after death, or heaven or hell and some think that life ends here on earth. But this is not true, we can be certain that there will be life after death and that God will take his judgement seat and judge us according to the way we loved and struggled to pass through the narrow gate that leads to heaven. Even if sometimes we may doubt of the existence of eternal life and God himself, I am always convinced of Blaise Pascal's wager which encourages to believe in God and his promises whether he exists or not for if one believes in God and he indeed exist, he will gain eternal happiness, if he does not exist, he loses nothing; but if one does not believe in God but he (God) exists, such a person will will receive eternal suffering. Brethren, let us, as we believe and live have a conviction that eternal life given by God exists and encouraged by Pascal let us weigh the gain and the loss in wagering that God is. Let us estimate these two chances. If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing; that is the best thing in believing in eternal life.
Having this conviction, how are we to gain eternal life? Jesus tells us today that it is through passing through the narrow gate. Jesus told this story in today's gospel as a response to the question of who will make it to heaven - to God's kingdom of everlasting peace and eternal life. Many rabbis held that all Israel would be saved and gain entry into God's kingdom, except for a few blatant sinners who excluded themselves! After all, they were specially chosen by God when he established a covenant relationship with them. Jesus surprised his listeners by saying that one's membership as a people who have entered into a covenant relationship with God does not automatically mean entry into the everlasting kingdom of God. Second, Jesus asserts that many from the Gentile (non-Jewish) nations would enter God's kingdom. God's invitation is open to Jew and Gentile alike; everyone who passes through the narrow gate will enter the kingdom of God.
What is this narrow door that Jesus is telling us to strive to pass through? This narrow gate is Jesus himself, for as he clearly states that he is the gate of his sheep (John 10:9-11) and that he is the way, the truth and life (John 14:6). This narrow gate involves striving and even suffering but the good news is that when we follow Jesus closely, it will be easy for his yoke is very easy to carry (Mat 11:30). To enter the kingdom of God we must struggle against every force or power of opposition - even the temptation to remain indifferent, apathetic, or compromising in our faith and personal trust in Jesus, our hope in holding firm to the promises of Jesus, and our uncompromising love for God above all else. Paul the Apostle reminds us that our hope in God does not disappoint us because "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 5:5).
Many will attempt to enter heaven but will not be strong enough; let us not be among those many. Their failure to enter heaven implies and reveals that we cannot enter Heaven by our own will or through our own effort; this approach will not work. Upon meeting our Lord, after death, they will be surprised that they are not a member of His Kingdom. This clear and somewhat shocking statement from our Lord should have the effect of causing us to step back and look at our life so as to sincerely and humbly examine the path we are on. Jesus’ directness and clarity on this real experience that some will have should help to open our eyes so as to honestly examine if He is speaking about us.
Notice something about the one knocking the door: The house owner did not directly condemn the one who was knocking. He just didn’t recognize him and thus would not open the door. The one standing outside requested to enter but to no avail. He was not recognized as one who belonged inside. The request was repeated with insistence, stating that he ate and drank with the owner, but the door remained closed. Both times the owner of the house said he didn’t know who the outsider was or where he came from. This could be a case of a forgotten identity, not on the owner's part, but on the part of the one knocking. It is a call for us to profoundly remember our origins as sons and daughters of God, and to know that we belong to him and await Heaven one day. Living in this reality–aware of where we came from and where we are going–allows us to be recognized when we are knocking at the door with the hope of entering the Kingdom of Heaven.
Reflect, today, upon the path you are treading: is it the wide gate or the narrow gate? What about that moment when you meet our Lord face to face? What will that encounter be like? Will it be one where He greets you with open arms saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into your reward.” Or will it be one in which He says, “I do not know you.” Now is the time to face your life of faith with honesty, striving to rely only upon the strength of our divine Lord.
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, grant me true humility and courage to enter the narrow door, leaving behind or making changes that are not in accord with my origin and destiny and the eternal life I am looking forward to. Through the gift of your Spirit fill me with persevering faith and courage to trust you always in all things and in every circumstance I find myself in until I attain that heavenly place. Amen
Be blessed
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