First Reading
Isaiah 66:18-21
Nations of every language shall come to see my glory.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 117:1-2
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Second Reading
Hebrews 12:5-7,11-13
Whom the Lord loves, he disciplines.
Gospel Reading
Luke 13:22-30
People will come from north and south, east and west, and take their place in the Kingdom of God.
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."
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today's Gospel reading is the third of three parables in chapter 13 that deal with the theme of the unexpected reversals brought by the Kingdom of God. The other two parables are about the tiny mustard seed that grows into a large tree and the small amount of yeast that makes a large batch of dough rise. All three are about the few and the many and the Kingdom of God.
As this parable opens, Luke reminds us that Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem. This journey, this exodus as Luke refers to it, makes up the entire middle of the Gospel. He is teaching as he goes. A question from the crowd gives Jesus the chance to make a prophetic statement. Luke uses this question device a number of times in his Gospel. A few weeks ago, the question “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” led to the parable of the Good Samaritan. The question about will only a few be saved uses typical Christian language about salvation but also expresses the Jewish concern about whether everyone who calls himself a Jew is actually faithful to the covenant. This was a concern of the Pharisees.
Jesus answers that they must strive in the time remaining to enter through the narrow door because many will be trying to get in but won't be strong enough. He then moves to a parable about another door. (The translation says “gate” then “door,” but the same Greek word is used.) Once all those entering the master's house are in and he locks the door, there will be no way for others to get in. Those left outside may knock, but the master will say he doesn't know them. Unlike the Gospel reading from a few weeks ago where Jesus was teaching about prayer, and we were told to knock and the door would be opened, in this parable, the master will not open and say he does not know us. People from the north, south, east, and west will take our place inside. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets will take our place in the Kingdom of God. Those who do not make it through the narrow door will be cast out to where there is wailing and grinding of teeth.
The image of the door is replaced in the final verses of the parable with the image of the heavenly banquet. Two passages from the Book of Isaiah influence the conclusion. Isaiah 43:5-6 speaks of God bringing Israel's descendents back from the east and from the west, the north and the south. And Isaiah 25:6 speaks of the Lord providing a feast of rich foods and choice wines for all peoples on his holy mountain. The answer to the question if only a few will be saved is no. In the end, many will be saved, but many who thought they would be saved will not be saved. The parable is a prophetic warning to repentance in order to enter the kingdom.
Family Connection
Families take advantage of certain days throughout the year to celebrate individuals in the family and to make sure that they know that they are not taken for granted. As a family, recall all of the days that someone in the family was celebrated in the past year—birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, anniversaries, graduations, and so on. Next, challenge each individual to recall what gifts were received on the day(s) on which he or she was celebrated.
Emphasize that these days are intended to express appreciation in a special way but are not meant to replace the appreciation that we should always show. Point out how, at times, families can take one another for granted. Explain that in this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus tells a story about some people who took something for granted and paid a price. Read aloud Luke 13:22-30. Explain that, in this story, some people took it for granted that they could enter the house whenever they wanted, but the master locked the gate and would not let them in after hours. Point out that Jesus was warning his listeners not to assume that they will have eternal life in heaven and not to take this invitation for granted.
As a family, commit to showing appreciation for one another in the days ahead, striving to not take for granted any of the many things that family members do in their roles as parents and children.
Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment