Many Will Come Into The Kingdom
Introduction
Our destiny in life is to be images of Christ, people who resemble him more and more. If we are open to the Spirit, he will help us to become more and more like Christ and he will pray in us.
For disciples of Christ, it is not enough to know about the Lord or to come to Mass to eat with the Lord or to read the Bible. As Jesus tells us in many ways throughout the gospel, we must live as his disciples and put his word into practice. Otherwise it is as if we did not know him and he does not know us.
1 Reading: Romans 8:26-30
Brothers and sisters: The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 13:4-5, 6
R. (6a) My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.
Look, answer me, O LORD, my God!
Give light to my eyes that I may not sleep in death
lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him”;
lest my foes rejoice at my downfall. R.
Though I trusted in your mercy,
Let my heart rejoice in your salvation;
let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.” R.
Alleluia: See 2 Thessalonians 2:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: 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.”
Commentary
The entire process of justification is planned by God. At the same time, there is no privileged class before him. This message comes home clearly in today’s readings. Jesus, on his way to Jerusalem, preaches to the villagers on the way. Asked if only a few people will be saved, he does not answer the question. He only recommends the narrow door. Free admission will not be granted on the basis of status, familiarity or ethnicity. This is the Jesus who will ultimately be rejected by his own people. When the final sort takes place, they will not be able to claim table fellowship or hometown company as the key to admission. These people were opponents of his message. Not only will they be on the outside looking in, but they will see foreigners from the four corners of the earth join the patriarchs and prophets in the kingdom of God.
Paul reminds us that our own place within the church is not a question of chance. Foreknown, predestined, confirmed, justified, and glorified, God has led us along the way. We can only rejoice in his goodness, just as we recognize that we too must enter by the narrow gate. We always remain free, and that means we can move into God’s plan or move away.
Blessing
The message of Jesus is good news for everyone. May it also become and remain good news for each of us when we put our heart in it by putting it into practice. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!