Readings: Isaiah
66:18-21; Heb. 12:5-7, 11-13; Lk 13:22-30
The Road Less
Traveled
We pride ourselves as a diverse community
in South-West Baltimore. True! We come from different ethnic backgrounds and speak different languages. But the one thing that brings us together
is our love for God and his people. Our relationship outside our worshipping
community stems from having worshipped God together in the Church. Because we
see God as our father, we have a relationship with God’s children whom we see
as brothers and sisters. Isaiah the prophet makes this point clearly thus. “I
am coming to gather the nations of every language. They shall come to witness
my glory. I will give them a sign and send some of their survivors to the
nations” (First reading). The prophet wrote this to encourage the children of
Israel exiled in Babylon. Two generations of Israelites were already in their
land of exile. They had given up hope of ever returning home to Judea and their
beloved temple in Jerusalem. The prophet told them that God would visit them
again to restore their fortune. They will worship God again in Jerusalem. He reminded
that at the time of their visitation people from foreign nations will join them
to worship the God of Israel. Even foreigners would be accepted as priests.
This way of thinking was foreign to them who thought salvation was their
birthright. Jesus addresses the question of salvation in the Gospel reading of
today.
The Children of Israel were to see their
time in a foreign land as a period of testing and a time of discipline. God
tested them because he loved them. “Suffering is part of your training; God is
treating you as his sons. Has there ever been any son whose father did not
train him?” (Second reading). Much as we hate suffering, it is a necessary part
of our existence. There is no crown without a cross. Many people would do anything
to avoid pains, suffering and discipline. Many have taken to drugs, alcohol,
sex and violent behaviors to numb their pains. Truth be told, problems do not
go away, they must be worked through. Whatever you currently take to avoid
pains and suffering will wear off and your pains will intensify after. It is
only with discipline that we can solve life’s problems.
And so, Christ invites us in today’s
Gospel to make a choice. In answering the question “Lord, will only a few
people be saved?” His answer was simple: “Strive to enter through the narrow
gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong
enough”. Christ calls us to make a journey on the road less traveled. If we are
not committed to our Christian calling, we will be cast out of the kingdom. How
sad would it be to see our perceived enemies in heaven and we in hell? We would
not be able to rely on our knowledge of the law or being faithful in praying
the rosary or going to Mass or being faithful recipient of the Eucharist. These
will not make Christ to open the door for us, in fact we may hear instead, “I
do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!” (Gospel
reading). To people like this Isaiah says: “These people claim to worship me,
but their words are meaningless, and their hearts are somewhere else. Their
religion is nothing but human rules and traditions, which they have simply
memorized” (29:13).
Does God know your work and your thoughts?
(First reading). Do you have a personal relationship with God such as will
influence your relationship with others? To the question “Teacher, which
commandment in the law is the greatest?” Christ answered: “You shall love the
Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your
mind. This is the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your
neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two
commandments” (Matt. 22:36-40). Those whom God knows, who do His will, who
allow God to discipline them will be admitted into his kingdom, not those call
on God daily and do not do what he commands.
We have a choice before us today, to choose
the road less traveled which leads to joy, peace and eternal bliss or choose
the path that guarantees instant happiness and long suffering after. Remember
‘a life in chains and freedom after forever is better than the struggle to free
oneself in vain’. Choose a life with God or a life without him. Choose
forgiveness and peaceful coexistence with others or a life of hatred and sadness.
The choice is yours. But to every choice there are consequences. May we choose
the narrow path, the road less traveled so as to enter into a life of happiness
and peace with God. May we never hear the words: “I do not know where you are
from. Depart from me all you evil doers”. May God bless us now and always.
Amen.
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