Narrow Door

Today’s Gospel Text:  He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And some one said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them, 24 "Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us.' He will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.' 26 Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' 27 But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!' 28 There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out. 29 And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." Luke 13:22-30

Reflection: Why did Jesus not directly answer the most important question, which not all may ask and yet could trouble many?

"Lord, will those who are saved be few?" (vs. 23b)

In not answering the question directly Jesus is leaving space open for the many to be saved.

He is also revealing to us those categories likely to be saved and those who are not going to be saved is not already ordained or pre-destined by God as some would hold.

This also means that each one on this earth have an opportunity to be saved if only they choose to enter by the narrow door.  

Jesus is that door through which men must enter in order to be saved; this door, Jesus Christ, which is that narrow door that leads to eternal life.  (cfr. Jn. 10: 9)

Therefore, according to the parable, those who are not saved will be the ones who will be on the outside of the door, because they never tried to enter in but yet did plenty of good works in his name.

Apart from him the work, the labor, that is put in is that of iniquity and so they are termed by Jesus as “workers of iniquity”.

Finding themselves outside they will now knock and knock, and question the door keeper on why in spite of their good work, done in his name, they should not enter through the door of life.

Too Late! Once the door is closed through death or deliberate separation by choice then there is no hope.

No wonder there is a great need felt by the many in the Church, even in our days, to carry the saving message of the gospel to all men, so that people of good will may believe in it and work earnestly in him to carry on with his mandate that saves.

                                                                              

Prayer:  Lord, I too want to be your instrument, willing to enter by the narrow door which is you.

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The Door

Scripture/Bible:    Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way,that man is a thief and a robber; 2 but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." 6 This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.  7 So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. 9 I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:1-10

Reflection: We see a change of roles in this passage. Jesus, the good shepherd presents himself also as the door through which the Shepherd and sheep must go in and out. 

A shepherd may not live for long and hence never permanent. When one shepherd goes another may take his place and that is what the Catholic Church is all about. Beginning with Peter the Apostle and the other apostles, the chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, keeps appointing shepherds over his flock.

Though Shepherds may pass on the baton of responsibility to the next generation, the door is always constant and is a permanent fixture.

Christ Jesus is that door through which both the sheep and shepherd must enter in and out. Only those who enter through this door and come out are safe and hence the responsible shepherd makes every attempt to lead people in and out through this door.

The irresponsible shepherd or wolf will lead people through their door to be slaughtered and killed by the many enemies.

Hence, no matter what kind of shepherds we may have, even the types whom St. John Chrysostom claims that their skulls pave the paths of hell, we should never lose sight of the Chief Shepherd and the door.  

Our primary focus should be to listen to the voice of the chief shepherd, Jesus Christ, and the only door by which we must enter; Jesus Christ.

A good shepherd will always lead the flock to look to the Chief Shepherd and listen to his voice and see that his flock is familiar with the door, lest they lose their salvation.

Prayer:  Lord, I believe that in learning to listen to your voice and in being familiar with you, I will be saved from the imposter.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us