Luke 13:22-30

Gospel according to Luke 13:22-30

Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him: "Lord, will only a few be saved?" Jesus said to them, "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. "When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside nd to knock at the door, saying 'Lord open up to us,' then in reply he will say to you, 'I do not know where yo come from' "Then you will begin to say, ' We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' But the Lord will say 'I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!' "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God, and you yourself thrown out. Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will at in the kingdom of God. Indeed some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

Reflections

Today’s Gospel answers the question that a member of the crowd poses to Jesus about who will be saved and who can enter the kingdom of God. According to traditional belief, those who are well to do, famous, or powerful, are favored by God over those who are poor, weak, and sick. At the time of Jesus, illness was considered as God’s punishment for those who sinned and who lost favor in the eyes of God. Jesus wanted to clarify that not everyone who thinks that they are fortunate may enter the kingdom and not those who are poor, and sick will be condemned. The measuring rod of God is different from that of the world.

On the way to Jerusalem with his disciples, Jesus predicted his death, and he talked about the workers in the vineyard. He was the servant who was ready to accomplish the will of God. Serving God, through serving others is superior to the self-centeredness of the rich and the powerful. Jesus affirms that the meek will inherit the kingdom of Heaven.

Story of the Day

On August 1st, 2021, Isaiah Jewett was about to cross the finish line in the men’s 800-meter competition at the Summer Tokyo Olympics when something entirely unexpected happened. Whether Isaiah was tripped by someone, or he had tripped himself will never be known, but he felt a sharp pain in his foot ready to lunge and found himself on the ground, entangled with Nigel Amos, another runner. The two of them fell at the same time, collapsing on the track.

As he looked puzzled and still in pain, he heard Amos say that he was sorry. Instead of arguing, the two of them helped each other up. While both were devastated, they finished the race together.

They did not win any medals however, the gesture of helping each other despite great frustration became iconic. The two were featured worldwide as they put their arms around each other and jogged together to the finish line.

There are many people who never make it to the headlines. Their example of a faith-filled life is admirable.

Quote of the Day

“Love cannot remain by itself – it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, and that action is service.”

– Mother Teresa