Will our Lord know who we are when we knock on His door?
Reflections on the readings for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 25, 2019): IS 66:18-21; PS 117:1,2; HEB 12:5-7,11-13; LK 13:22-30
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
The Gospel for today forces us to confront some uncomfortable truths.
When Jesus is asked if only a few people will be saved, He answers that while we should try to enter by the narrow gate, many will not be strong enough to do so. He goes on to compare the situation to that of the master of a house who locks the door and, when people knock, he does not recognize them and will not let them enter. Finally, Christ says, “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” (Luke 13:29-30). It will not be sufficient to say we know Jesus, we must actively follow Him. Only if we live as Christ’s true disciples can we claim Him as our Savior – and He, in turn, will embrace us as His own.
Calling ourselves Catholics or Christians will not open the gates of heaven if we have not walked in the footsteps of our Lord. We need to have a loving relationship with Him and to love others for His sake. We make decisions every single day that affect our spiritual life. If we do not choose to put our Savior first and emulate mercy, forgiveness and generosity to our brothers and sisters, how can we expect Him to welcome us into His home forever? If we do not really know and love Him, how can He possibly acknowledge us as His beloved children?
