Stories

Firstly, on the question of salvation, Jesus did not want to get into “statistics” about the few or many who are saved or will be saved. It is quite clear that God puts no limit on this, because He “wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth” (1Tm 2:4). It is therefore about God’s will that Jesus now accomplishes and fulfills. However, Jesus bluntly and without being populist affirms the need for humanity’s commitment to accept God-given salvation, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” Implied here is an entering the kingdom of God, and the narrow gate implies the possible difficulties and obstacles in the way because of the newness of the gospel. This exhortation actually echoes Jesus’ fundamental announcement at the beginning of His public ministry to enter the Kingdom, “The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15). 

Jesus shows himself to be not a demagogue who offers everyone the false hope of cheap salvation, but the true Teacher of God who reveals all truths about humanity’s path to salvation. Men and women are invited, indeed called, to make their own choice, in their freedom and taking responsibility for their actions. It takes an effort, a determination, indeed, a radical abandonment of all secondary non-necessary things, including material wealth, for the sake of the Kingdom, as we heard a few Sundays ago. And Jesus’ disciples, who continue His mission, will only proclaim God’s gift of salvation to all, without hiding the need for a strong commitment on the part of those willing to accept it. 

In this regard, it should be remembered that Jesus himself will warn, “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Mt 19:23-24). This is an acclamation that caused the disciples great astonishment and perplexity, “Who then can be saved?” And Jesus’ response at that moment is also important for our reflection today: “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible” (Mt 19:25-26). The prevalence (or relevance) of God’s support and grace is a reminder , for men and women who find themselves in difficulty or even in the impossibility of entering the Kingdom. It is enough for one to make an effort, to strive to enter, without being too frightened by the narrowness of the “gate.”

2. The Gate That Can Also Close: A Stern Warning

Again bluntly, Jesus warns everyone about the very real possibility of being left outside the gate of salvation, “after the master of the house has arisen and locked the door.” The tone here becomes very stern, and the “master” of the succinct account of the parable even shows himself to be “merciless” without yielding to the pleas of the petitioners: “Lord, open the door for us,” “I do not know where you are from,” “I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!” Such dramatization (for indeed it is only dramatization) serves not to frighten the listeners, but to emphasize the seriousness of the situation. It is a matter of life and death! Better then to make an effort now to get through the door, albeit a bit narrow, before it closes!

Who are these “you” left out and how is this happening? Although St. Luke does not specify it here (and he might have meant the Israelites who refused to accept the Gospel of Jesus), we can glimpse from the parallel text in Matthew’s Gospel that it is the “lot” of all those who do not do the Father’s will, not accepting with faith and not putting Jesus’ teaching into practice, including even those (probably even among Jesus’ followers) who had performed miraculous deeds in His name (cf. Mt 7:21-23). The warning here is universal, for all.