“Thus says the Lord: I know their works and their thoughts, and I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see My glory.” (Isaiah 66:18)
Reflections on the readings for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 21, 2022): IS 66:18-2; PS 117:1,2; HEB 12:5-7,11-13; LK 13:22-33
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Only by putting our trust in Him, listening to all He says, observing all He does, and embracing all He endures, can we belong to Him.
In today’s Gospel, someone asks a question: “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” When people in Scripture poses a question to Jesus, they almost always want something. Maybe, such as in this case, they what a definitive answer to some subject that is bothering them. Maybe they want a healing or a favor. Maybe, as with the Pharisees, they actually want to trap Christ into saying something that will get Him in trouble with the authorities or His followers. But His answers are never precisely what the person expects -- or even wants -- to hear. Our Lord desires something more between Himself and the questioner and those listening. He wants a true personal relationship. However, not every person is willing to be open to Him, to listen and respond to Him from the depths of the soul. So it is with this question about salvation. Jesus has no intention of giving numbers or of letting people feel secure that, surely, they will be among those saved. “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. … 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 13:24,29-30).
Some people presume that they are doing what God wants because they follow rules, even laws. They feel confident that they know Him and He knows them. Yet all these may come in for a shock. Christ wants to know us, one by one. And He needs us to know Him. We cannot expect to believe in Him, to love Him, to follow Him if we do not open ourselves to Him. Only by putting our trust in Him, listening to all He says, observing all He does, and embracing all He endures, can we belong to Him. Our Savior wants us to recognize the profound love He has for us, not as part of some huge, nameless mass of people, but as His beloved children. He knows our names, but vastly more important, He knows our hearts. And He calls us to know His heart, too. Loving God and loving His people -- and acting on that love -- this is what draws us into His eternal embrace. If we understand and live this way, we need not worry about being left outside that locked door.
