Twenty-First Sunday of the Year August 21, 2022
Isaiah 66:18-21; Hebrews 12:5-7.11-13; Luke 13:22-30
Suppose Jesus was on earth today and a reporter went to him
and asked him, "Where is Princess Diana's soul?" what would be his
answer? I think Jesus would look the reporter in the eye and tell him or her,
"Try and save your own soul now that you still have the chance."
This is exactly what is happening in today's gospel. Jesus
is going through the towns and villages teaching and making his way to
Jerusalem. Someone interrupts him and asks, "Lord, will only a few be
saved?"(Luke 13:33). What does Jesus answer? "My friend, strive to
enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will
not be able" (v. 24). We see that Jesus is not really answering the man's
question: "Will only a few be saved?" In fact, he is answering a more
important question, "How can I be saved?"
Today’s scripture readings invite us to recognize our
failures, not only in deeds but also in attitudes. They invite us to call on
the Lord and seek his forgiveness. The Gospel of today tells us that salvation
is not automatic. It requires cooperation and perseverance on our part to
secure the kingdom of heaven. The Gospel
tells us that there should be the willingness to enter through the narrow gate.
The Sermon on the Mount, however beautiful, however
majestic, is not meant to be marveled at. It is meant to be obeyed. We can
marvel at it and we should. When Jesus finished this teaching, the people who
heard Him were amazed and it's good to be amazed. But we need to go past
amazement, we need to go into obedience. This is the first opportunity that
Jesus gives us to directly respond to His commands. Jesus is getting His
hearers ready for judgment day, so He
sets before them here two gates and two roads.
The poem by Robert Frost will help us understand the
scripture in a better way:
The Road Not Taken
BY ROBERT FROST
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Happy Sunday
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