First reading: Is. 66:18–21

Thus says the LORD: I know their works and their thoughts, and I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory. I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the LORD in clean vessels. Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.

Second reading: Heb. 12:5–7,11–13

Brothers and sisters, You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children: “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.” Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.

Gospel: Lk. 13:22–30

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.”

In other words

by Fr. Vic Uy, SVD (Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City)

“Lord, will only a few people be saved?” It is a question someone asked Jesus, and which Christians up to the present still entertain.

Jesus does not answer the question with a “yes” or a “no.” Not because he does not know the answer. He certainly does! Instead, he tells them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.”

So, back to the question, “Will only a few be saved?” Jesus’ answer seems to be telling us not to worry about the number. It’s different from what is essential. What is more important is that you know what it takes to enter. In other words, just “strive to enter through the narrow door.”

But what does Jesus mean by the “narrow door?” There are different interpretations to what Jesus meant by it, but one common view is that he was referring to the difficulty and exclusivity of following him. It is difficult because it requires us to repent of our sins and “sin no more” (not an easy thing to do, right?) and exclusive because it requires us to trust in Jesus completely and follow his teachings and commands wholeheartedly.

It also means that we may sometimes face persecution, rejection, or hardship because of our allegiance to Christ. These are just some of what Dietrich Bonhoeffer calls “The Cost of Discipleship.” This is the narrow door that Jesus is referring to but, unfortunately, many people are not up to it or “strong enough spiritually” to enter, though they may have the sincere desire to do so. They give up when “the going gets tough.”

Indeed, entering through the narrow door may require a painful process of change on our part. It is not going to be easy but, mind you, it is the door that leads to eternal life. It is, therefore, sad to note that many people are unwilling to change due to what it entails, so they continue to do what they have been used to. They prefer to remain in their “comfort zone.” This is the wide and open door which leads to destruction.

So which door will you take: the narrow door or the wide and open door? The choice is yours! Just remember: the consequences of your choice are enormous.