Salvation

Today’s readings are a continuation of those we heard on the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus calls each of us to be prepared, to be ready, for the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. As we continue to reflect on how we wait and prepare for that glorious day, we would do well to consider our first reading from the prophet Isaiah: “I come to gather nations of every language, they shall come and see my glory.” What powerful words these are.

It is God’s will that we all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Does that mean this will literally happen? One word can answer that question. NO! If each of us as Christians do not accept the responsibility to “go out to all the world and tell the Good News,” universal salvation will never happen. So many of us tend to believe that telling the Good News is the role of clergy and missionaries.

In our second reading this weekend, we are given an important reminder about salvation. It is true that God wishes that all be saved, but salvation does not come on a silver platter. As we avail ourselves of God’s lavish graces, we are fully equipped to live our lives as true missionaries telling the Good News by the way we live our lives.

Salvation is not about laziness and complacency. In today’s Gospel, Jesus says we must strive to enter through the narrow gate, for that is the only gate that leads to salvation. The suffering and the trials we are called to endure in this life are the means by which we are strengthened and able to enter through that narrow gate. Jesus even says that there will be few who will be strong enough to enter through the narrow gate.

Secularism, complacency, self-righteousness, and failure to conform our lives to Christ’s teachings block the narrow gate and keep many from entering the road to salvation. Sadly, that seems very much to be the way we choose to live in this nation. As we choose this selfish and godless path of life, we not only keep ourselves from entering into salvation, but others as well. I speak these words not to condemn, but to present the harsh reality of Christian living as opposed to the secular way of life so many have chosen.

As priceless as it is, Baptism –though necessary for salvation– is not enough to be saved. If Baptism was all that was necessary for salvation, then complacency, laziness, and worldliness would be acceptable. In the sacrament of Baptism, we share in the threefold ministry of Christ as Priest, Prophet, and King. And it is when we faithfully live as such, we are sharing the Good News and walking along the road that takes us to that glorious narrow gate.

The question each of us must ask ourselves is, “Do my actions and my way of life testify that I am striving to enter through the narrow gate, or does my way of Christian living indicate complacency and laziness?” “Broad is the gate that leads to destruction, and many will find it, but narrow is the gate that leads to salvation, and few will find it.”

Which road have you chosen?

Which road have I chosen?

Deacon John Murrell