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Freedom to Choose Heaven!
The 13th chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel recounts in parables the reversal of fortunes as the hallmark of the Kingdom of God. The first parable is about the tiny mustard seed that grows into a large tree and the second is about the small amount of yeast that makes a large batch of dough rise. We read the third parable in the Gospel today. The image of the ‘narrow gate/door’ is quite unique. Even in our day of expansive buildings and structures, we too, at times encounter small doors as we board small planes or go through security checks or get a whole-body scan. The last one in particular can be a scary experience but is a reminder of the precious nature of life.The parable of the narrow door is in answer to the specific concern of the Pharisees of the number of people saved. Jesus answers that by saying, they must strive in the time remaining to enter through the narrow door because many will be trying to get in but won't be strong enough. He then moves to a parable about another door. Once all those entering the master's house are in and he locks the door, there will be no way for others to get in. Those left outside may knock, but the master will say he doesn't know them.
Some Sundays back, we read about the persistent ‘door knocker’ getting all the bread he asked for! Why is it different this time we might ask. We should remind ourselves that the main difference is that this time around the ‘door knockers’ are not friends of the Master. They heard him preach but they did nothing. They did not come to his house at a reasonable hour and begin a friendship. No amount of midnight knocking will make up for it now.
What is our lesson? That God keeps the door open long beyond what anyone would expect. But, He has to accept our decision to stay outside or ignore His advances for friendship. Exclusion does not come from lack in the “wideness of God's mercy.” People are flocking in from north, south, east, and west. Those standing outside are in fact presumptuous evildoers.
This stark image of Jesus is a wake-up call for us. The Good News of the kingdom carries a warning that we could “blow it,” permanently, if we refuse the gift and task of the gospel. What about us and our family? We have a great opportunity in our Christian life. It is through the grace of Christ that we can live out God’s Life in us — a grace that is fortified every time we participate in the Holy Eucharist, are reconciled with God in the sacrament of Reconciliation and meditate on His Word. If time is the currency of our relationship, how much time do we invest with God? Venerable Bishop Fulton J. Sheen says that we will have three surprises in Heaven: 1) There will be many there whom we never expected; b) there will be many absent whom we expected to see; and c) we will be surprised to find that we ourselves have gotten in! God allows us to decide every day, what road we will walk down and what gate we will choose. He encourages us, however, to choose His way: “Choose life” (Moses – Dt 30:19-20); “Choose this day whom to serve” (Joshua – Jos 24:15).
Fr Tom Kunnel, C.O.