A Few Words On "The Word"

August 26, 2007
The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Luke 13:22-30

How Much Will You Pay?

Have you ever desperately wanted to go to a concert featuring your favorite famous musician but you just couldn't afford the tickets? Maybe you're a sports fanatic who really wanted to attend the Super Bowl, the World Series, or the Final Four but you just didn't have the money to reserve a seat. Perhaps you've visited New York City and wanted to go to a play on Broadway but instead said, "No way!" when you got to the ticket booth and saw the prices.

We are often limited in what we can and cannot do because of the associated cost. Sometimes it's easy to get tickets to go to a concert or sporting event. Maybe the artist you're going to see isn't as famous or perhaps your favorite team isn't participating in the playoffs yet. The reunion tours of famous bands often set their ticket prices high, knowing that people will pay to see their heroes in concert one last time. Buying tickets becomes a lot harder when the concert or game means more. Unfortunately, such exclusive and rare events often leave us sitting at home on the couch!

Today's gospel focuses on the ultimate event - God's judgment. Jesus points out that not all people will be able to get into heaven. Some of his words definitely make even the most faithful of his followers wonder if they have what it takes to enter heaven. In an attempt to give further understanding, Jesus says something that is very significant, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate."

What exactly does Jesus mean? Is he encouraging us to push and shove our way through the small metaphorical door into heaven with little regard for those around us? Of course not! Jesus wants us to realize that living for him isn't going to be the easiest choice. If we could get to heaven on just a little bit of faith and a good deed here or there Jesus would have said, "Enter through the wide-open garage door."

You and I know that living for Jesus isn't nearly as easy as driving a remote control car through an open garage door. The reality is that there are times when we want to turn back. We begin to lose faith and focus and our passion to serve others begins to diminish. What do we do when we don't really have the strength or the resources to enter through the narrow gate?

You have to want it! If you really, really want to make it to that huge concert or be on the fifty yard line for the Super Bowl, you will find a way to do it. You'll work to raise money or find contests to enter until you manage to snag those precious tickets. It's really not that different when we're striving to get into heaven. We have to go all out, working tirelessly to reach our goal and enter through the narrow gate. Despite our imperfections and doubts we must strive to love God and serve others until we have nothing left to give, trusting that grace will be provided. Only then will we be able to gain access to the most incredible event that is heaven.

Reflection Question

What does entering through the "narrow gate" mean to you on a daily basis?

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