STRIVE

August 21, 2022 Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C Luke 13-22-30 In todays gospel Jesus does not give a direct answer to the question, ‘Will only a few be saved?’ Three points I would like to share with you this Sunday. First, salvation is a result of our STRUGGLE. Keep striving and make an effort to enter. The entry is hard and difficult but keep trying. Friends, entry into God’s kingdom is not automatically granted according to our religious activities. Do not presume that going to church can be a perfect visa to be saved. No! Do not be too sure that receiving the sacraments can the password to unlock the gate of heaven. No! Not all who say Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of God. Let us not feel too comfortable in the belief that God is somehow obliged to save us. “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!” Friends, let our relationship with God be coupled by our acts of mercy and good deeds. Let us be a believers at the same time doers. Secondly, to be saved let us strive to STAY AWAY from evil doings and diabolic lifestyles. Friends, the gate towards heaven is narrow but faith accompanied by our acts of kindness will widen it up. Salvation is not assured by religious uniform or being seen by others as pious. We cannot be saved by faith alone. “Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.” The irony: sometimes we use our mouth to praise God in prayers but likewise it is thesame mouth we use to tell lies, curse and swear. Walk your talk! Finally, when we keep our best we can SHARE the joy of heaven. The narrow gate is a happy gate. Choose that gate! Today, let us be an instrument of salvation to all so that all people will stream towards the city of God “Go out and tell the goodnews.” Let me end my reflection with this joke: An open-air evangelist, preaching on today’s Gospel text was warning his congregation about the eternal damnation. “On the Day of Judgment,” he said, “there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.” But an old woman in the crowd asked, “Look preacher, I got no teeth!” “Never mind,” says the evangelist, “teeth will be provided.” Blessings Fr. Jhack