Pastor's Letter 20220821 - 21 August 2022 - The Narrow Gate

[Father Michael]

August 21^st, 2022

21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time

A Message from Father †Michael

Today’s Theme:  “The Narrow Gate”

Reflections on Today’s Scripture

Our First Reading (Isaiah 66:18-21,) how the Holy City, the restored Jerusalem, was to become the focal point of God’s glory.  She would be “beacon,” guiding all the nations of the earth to herself, or, more precisely, to an experience of God, within and through His people.  From among the survivors of the Babylonian captivity, the Lord would send forth missionaries to the far reaches of the earth.  Further, even those who had never known the Lord would be taught to receive the “Good News” of salvation.   Centuries later, this vision came to life in the person of Jesus, the Son of Man, coming in power and glory, serving as a “sign” of what Israel (and all the peoples of the earth) have been called to be—disciples of the Word. 

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In our Second Reading (Hebrews 12:5-13,) we read that “discipline” is the whole process of education and training by which young people are helped to shape themselves in those qualities of mind and body, which characterize the “real” adult—strong, sober and able to cope with the problems of life.  The overall message for us is that suffering is a necessary ingredient in the building of a mature person.  Although it may “exasperate” us, it is part of the human condition, with constructive, as well as destructive dimensions.  Those who are called to disseminate “the Word,” must do so by catechizing (faith-sharing,) and evangelizing (proclaiming the Gospel.)

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The question of v. 23 in today’s Gospel selection (Luke 13:22-30,)  “Lord, will only a few be saved?” was a current one in Jesus’ time (The regular answer was that all Israel would have a place in the future Kingdom; and even the “ordinary people,” though “ignorant of the law,” would not be excluded.)  Jesus warned His questioners that specific “effort” is demanded of them—it is no easy mater to lay hold on eternal life.  †Luke reminds us that men and women from all over the world will share in the Messianic Kingdom, and that Jews will have no advantage over Gentiles.  Salvation is not offered at a “bargain” price, however, and only those who follow the path pointed out by Jesus—those “who enter the narrow gate*”—will gain access.

*Entrance through the “narrow gate” is a metaphor for embracing the precepts for a righteous life, as laid down in the Gospels, which constitutes a way of living that is more restrictive than yielding to worldly temptations.  

The Kingdom is not a “Private Club”

Our world is riddled with exclusive clubs, snobbery, privilege, preference and so on.  We wouldn’t expect Jesus to have condoned this.  When He announced the Good News of the coming of the Kingdom of God, He told those who thought themselves “privileged, “Produce the fruits of repentance, otherwise your privileged position will benefit you nothing.”  He said that “conversion” was a necessary disposition for entry, and He succeeded in bringing it about in the most unlikely of people.  Many sinners heeded His call and made their way into the Kingdom, whereas, many religious people stubbornly resisted and excluded themselves from salvation.  

God is full of great surprises!  Unlike His creatures, He does not limit His gifts of grace or the scope of His concern.  Indiscriminately, He calls all people to Himself, and makes no case about race, nor holds grudges against the “eleventh-hour penitents.”  At heaven’s great banquet, those image-seekers who are forgiven will be grateful tablemates with forgiven murderers and thieves!  Life, here and now, must be a preparation for the universal “feast”’ that is to come; prejudice should be disciplined by justice; and narrowness of heart by selfless love.

We should not make judgments about who “gets into heaven.”  That is best left to the wisdom and mercy of God.  Salvation is a “gift” from God, not something that can be “earned.”  But that doesn’t mean we ought not try to make ourselves worthy of it….  Through our Baptism, we are members of the new Chosen People—the “insiders,”—but we must never rely on that fact alone.  Our life’s journey must be replete with our endeavors to produce the fruits of the Kingdom, namely goodness, right living and truth.

Suffering: Part of our Training

Throughout history, studies have shown that methods to educate the young were based on endurance:  the more “inhuman” tests a child survived, the better they would be prepared to meet the hazards of adulthood.  One good example is found among the tribes of Native Americans, whose initiation rites were designed to fortify their youth with life-skills.  Left in a dark forest, armed only with a spear, the child was to spend the night, alone.  In the morning, emerging from the forest, the young “brave” was no longer the innocent youth of the day before.  

Modern children are also faced with daunting challenges.  They may not be abandoned in the wilderness, but they are surrounded by formidable dangers in the guise of numerous evil influences and bullying peers.  They wend their way through their formative years equipped only with the “spear” of their parents’ love and training.  Those who are able to withstand the temptations and torments, will emerge fortified from their ordeal.  Others, who do not, constitute the bulk of society’s miscreants, continually preying on the population at-large.  

Throughout their ordeals, time passes seemingly very slowly for the developing youngster.  Every minute can seem like an hour.  But, arising from the darkness, they may find a loving family waiting for their return.  What the youngsters do not know, in many fortunate cases, is that their family oftentimes was waiting on the sidelines, anticipating the outcome, all along.  Everyone who wishes to grow to adulthood must face their own “dark forest” in some shape or another.  

We are trained in the “school of suffering,” but there is no point in being sentimental about it.  People may become so “hurt” they become bitter, and will not accept being redeemed.  Yet, suffering can be a great opportunity, with values not lying in the pain of it, but in what the sufferer makes of it.  Suffering can purify one’s soul and transform one’s character.  It can also bear “fruit,” and is an indispensable part of our becoming truly “human”—that is, people of maturity, depth and compassion.  

Suffering is a necessary ingredient in building us into a complete, Christian person.  We must not see it as a punishment from God…God punishes no one*….  As part of the “human condition,” suffering is “allowed” by God, because only “good” can come from it!  Our pain can bring us closer to Him.  In it, we experience His power and love.  There are truths which only sorrow can teach.  One of those truths is compassion for fellow sufferers.  Compassion is not learned without suffering.

*The “eternal punishment,” which awaits the unrepentant sinner in the afterlife, is here understood as that pain arising from the absence of God’s presence, His Beatific Vision, and the everlasting deprivation of all grace.  

May God Richly Bless You!

 

Not To Us, O Lord.docx

To view a recording of today's Holy Mass, click here: 

https://youtu.be/QprGLR-nyeo

 

Edited August 21, 2022 by Father Michael