Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.”

Gospel Reading 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.”

In today’s Gospel, we hear the parable about the narrow gate. Jesus’ disciples ask him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” In his message, Jesus tells his disciples that just because you attend church does not guarantee entrance into the kingdom of Heaven. Everyone is called to participate in the formation of the Kingdom of Heaven. God wants all men to enter the gate. He gives each of us special graces which make us unique. We are called to use these graces in a way to build the kingdom. Knowing God and listening to his message is not enough. Jesus said, “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!’” God does not judge us on our ability to hear but our ability to do. Not everyone who hears the Gospel but those who do the will of the Father will make it into heaven. This is the good news. Some people claim that all I have to say is that “I believe”, “I’ve been saved”, or “I know Jesus” and they are given a ticket to get through the narrow gate. This will not be enough. It is all about participation. The Jewish people were under the impression that their salvation was guaranteed. Do we not hear that same message today, “I’m a member of such-and-such church, and therefore, I am saved.” It doesn’t work like that. Today’s Gospel tells us that everyone can make it to heaven, even those who do know God by name, but who do his will. Saying you know God or you attend church does not get you a free pass. It is putting the Gospels into action that gives us passage through the narrow gate.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, you have given me many graces,

Give me the knowledge and wisdom to use these graces to serve you.

Help me to be faithful in my pursuit of the kingdom of Heaven.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon