WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 30, 2024
WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRTIETH WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME B
Romans 8:26-30
Luke 13:22-30
WHO WILL BE SAVED?
The question on who will be saved was raised by the disciples of Jesus, in today’s gospel. And this question was taken very seriously by Jesus. Who will be saved? Who will attain eternal life? What criteria are we to fulfill before we get to heaven? Jesus offers us the basic requirement to attain eternal life.
He dismissed the question of presumption. There is not need to hold or think that one is already saved. That is presumptuous. Jesus warns us seriously against this. For these will come knocking and saying that they followed him, that he walked in their streets and they know him. These characteristics of presuming that one is saved by just knowing Jesus must be eschewed from our lives. Familiarity does not buy us salvation. Neither does bearing the name of Jesus assure us of our salvation. We must go beyond and above all these.
Jesus notes that to enter into heaven and be admitted to his kingdom, we must enter through the narrow gate. By this Jesus proposes the criteria necessary for our eternal salvation. What does the narrow gate means therefore since it is a metaphor. It means that we must be sacrificial, we must struggle, exert ourselves, consciously and seriously working for our salvation. Our human effort is required. Yes!! Grace of God is necessary but more importantly, man’s effort, striving, struggles and conscious efforts is even more demanding.
We must fight to be morally upright, spiritually sound, physically exerting ourselves and working consciously, building up of our faith and relating with people to earn the rewards that Jesus offers us.
This human capacity to exert oneself is required and necessary for us to win life. It must be a conscious effort coming from a willing and knowing heart. The grace of God only complements our efforts and crowns our efforts with success. This is the narrow gate that Jesus talks about.
Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians in the first reading continuing the theme of enhancing family union as ordained by God, specifies also the role of children in the family. It is respect and honor given to their parents. And Saint Paul remind us of the promises attached to this fourth commandment of God. Our salvation is predicated more on our little efforts completed by God’s grace
Heavenly Father, we are blessed to belong to you. Grant us the willing heart and the conscious efforts to keep doing your will, following your ways and being truly your children. May our zeal never wane and our faith never slack. Keep us steady on the road to salvation. Quicken our spirit to strive, make efforts, work assiduously for the sake of eternal life and to attain it at last through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
