Homily—21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

--Fr. Timothy W. Castor

There’s no point in trying to sugarcoat today’s gospel. Our Lord’s words are not easy to hear, but he means what he says. "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.... 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. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’" This echoes Jesus’ words from his sermon on the mount: "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. [But] the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few." And so, the question which is asked at the beginning of today’s gospel, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" is answered in the affirmative—yes, comparatively few will be saved.

Perhaps this comes as a shock. We’re so used to hearing about God’s love and mercy, the forgiveness he freely gives to sinners, that it’s easy to lull ourselves into thinking that everyone will be saved—at least everyone who is not a Hitler or a Hussein. If we were to write the words to the sermon on the mount we might have phrased it this way, "The gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to life, and almost everybody will stumble through one way or another." But that’s not what Jesus says, and his words are clear and unambiguous. More souls will be lost than saved; and those that are saved will find their way to heaven only through great struggle and hardship.

You see, Jesus is warning us against complacency. His words were directed primarily to the people of Israel who felt that they were in a position of privilege simply because they were Jews—God’s chosen people. This was certainly a great thing, but mere religious or ethnic identity will never be enough to save a person. Even the fulfillment of the basic requirements of religion cannot be relied upon for one’s eternal happiness. I’m certain there were many Israelites who went to synagogue every week, who kept the appointed feasts and fasts, who even made a pilgrimage or two to the Temple in Jerusalem. And yet, it is conversion of heart which the Lord seeks, not mere outward actions.

And what about us? We have the tremendous blessing and privilege of being members of God’s One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church—we are the members of God’s people now; isn’t that enough? "I’ve been baptized, confirmed, and I go to church regularly," someone might say, "what more does God want?" That’s all very important, and a good start, but God wants your heart—he wants every ounce of your being and every aspect of your life. And this is why you must strive to the enter the narrow gate—why, in the words of the second reading, you must "strengthen your drooping hands and your week knees; [and] make straight paths for your feet."

Now someone might say, "but I thought our faith, our salvation, was a free gift." It is a gift. But, as with any gift, it must be received, and unwrapped, and put to use. God freely gives us the gift of eternal life, but there’s another side to this equation, and this is the side Jesus speaks of in today’s gospel: our reception and cooperation with God’s gift. Put the gift of faith to work in your life; allow faith to inform and transform every area of your life. Turn away from sin, practice virtue, make an effort. And, as the writer to the Hebrews encourages us in today’s second reading, accept the discipline which comes from our loving heavenly Father—the hardships and sufferings which he allows to enter our lives in order to mold us and form us according to the image of Christ.

The story is told of a couple who came to church every Easter Sunday for many years—but only on Easter Sunday. One fine Easter morning, as they greeted father at the door, the priest had no idea who they were. They left in a huff. "I can’t believe he doesn’t recognize us," the husband said to his wife, "after all, we’ve been coming here for years!" It’s a funny story, but it would be a tragedy if they—or any one of us—arrived at the gates of heaven and were not recognized there either. "Strive to enter through the narrow gate."

© 2004, The Rev. Timothy W. Castor

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