A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (13:22-30)
Jesus passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them,
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.’
And you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Then he will say to you,
‘I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last.”
REFLECTION: For today’s reflection, please allow me to share with you the following short story: In a small Italian village, hidden among rolling vineyards, lived a prosperous merchant named Marco. He was known for his sharp business mind, his lavish feasts, and his proud patronage of the village church. He donated generously, sat in the front pew at church every Sunday, and was the first to organize a procession for every saint’s feast day. In his mind, he was a pillar of the community and a model of piety.
Yet, there was one thing Marco could not give up: his pride. He looked down on the poor and the outsiders who came to his town, often referring to them as “the last” in a snobby tone. He believed his wealth and his public acts of faith, were his ticket to heaven. Very sure of himself, he would tell his friends, “I have a place reserved, at the Lord’s table. We ate and drank together in the streets, and I have supported His house”.
On the other side of town, lived a quiet widow named Maria. She owned nothing but a small cottage, and a few olive trees. Her hands were always busy, not with bookkeeping documents, but with knitting clothes for orphans, and tending to her sick neighbors. She did not have money to put in the collection basket, but she offered her work, and her silent prayers, with a humble and pure heart. Maria understood that the path to God was not a wide and easy road, but a narrow door, that required stripping oneself, of all pretensions.
One day, both Marco and Maria came to the end of their earthly journeys. Marco approached a magnificent gate, expecting a warm reception. “Lord, open the door for us!” he called out, as he and others like him, demanded together. He listed his good deeds, reminding the Master of his donations, and his public piety.
“I do not know where you come from,” the Master replied.
“But we ate and drank with you!” Marco protested. “You taught in our streets!”.
“Depart from me, you evildoers,” was the solemn reply. The door remained shut. Marco was left outside, weeping and grinding his teeth, seeing the prophets within, and realizing that his outward displays of faith, were hollow, without a genuine relationship with the Master.
A short while later, Maria approached the same gate. She came with no fanfare, no list of accomplishments, but only a simple, quiet heart. To her surprise, the gate swung wide open. Within, she saw not only the prophets, but people from the east and west, the north and south, all reclining, at the great banquet table.
She looked up at the Master and whispered, “Lord, I did so little. My good works were so small.” The Master smiled. “I know you, Maria,” He said warmly. “You understood, that the narrow door is not a display for others, but a secret space of trust, in Me. For behold, some who are last, will be first, and some who are first, will be last”. And Maria, the humble widow who had given her all in love, took her place, at the table of the Kingdom, no longer last, but first.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, our salvation is a narrow path, that requires a committed, personal relationship with Jesus. Not just a casual knowledge of Him, or a group identity. Jesus teaches us today, that the opportunity to enter God’s kingdom, is time-limited, the path is exclusive, and those who rely on their past association with Him, without a genuine connection, will be turned away, when the door is shut. It’s a warning against self-admiration, emphasizing that one must “strive”, to enter through the “narrow door”, with a genuine faith and humility.
ACTION FOR THE DAY: In the silence of your sacred space, pray to the Holy Spirit, to help you work against a passive or half-hearted approach, to your faith. And strive fullhearted to work on the following:
- Invest effort, to increase your time for spiritual growth.
- Prioritize spiritual gatherings.
- Actively seek purpose-ways to connect, your professional and personal life, with a deeper sense of meaning, and service to others.
AUDIO REFLECTION:
