It was a routine occurrence, every single Saturday. That day would arrive, and I and my brothers would have all sorts of ambitious plans! However, they were being held up by one thing: Saturday cleaning. Now, it usually didn’t take terribly long, but we wanted to speed the process along even more through something that I would call “creative redistribution.” What was this exactly? Well, it was the moving of things into places that looked clean, at least temporarily, but in fact were likely not what mom had in mind. Filling the closet. Finding that empty space under the bed. Whatever space was there- and out of sight- we used it- in spite of whether or not it was what mom was looking for! Looking back on that now, it is what we would call “taking the easy way out.” Fundamentally, that entire system of operation was flawed- because we inevitably wound up cleaning up the room anyways! There was no escaping the inevitable reality of what was going to need to be done.
As much as we don’t like to think about or even speak about the end of our time on earth, this is still a reality that we must grapple with. While we do this, we can take a number of different approaches. We can live our lives in worry and fear of the end, living in constant worry and dread. We can also live in ignorance and decide not to engage with this moment until the last possible second, or to simply ignore it because it is too difficult or doesn’t matter. Yet, maybe there is a third option: to embrace the coming reality so as to approach the good ending that we desire: the kingdom of God. Which one are we going to follow?
Instead of going to the prophet Jeremiah for the first reading this Sunday, we have moved into the book of the prophet Isiah as well. Isaiah, in general, is a much more positive and motivational prophet, because he speaks of restoration and of a coming epiphany of the people being saved from what had them encapsulated and in bitter slavery. Isaiah, when he speaks, is talking to a people largely on the down and out. They are badly beaten by what has happened, and they are starting to size up the possibility of reconstruction. Isaiah, as he observes what is going on around him beings to tell them this: I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory. He continues to tell them about fugitives and how they will return to their land, all brothers and sisters will return from nations, and they will come from afar with so many different symbols of wealth- horses, chariots, carts, mules… they will truly have it all put back together.
That is vital in the time of Isaiah, because he recognizes something important: the people are without hope. They are looking around at the tremendous amount of work left to do and are becoming disheartened… they likely desire a shortcut! Nonetheless, the promise is there that, eventually, they will experience being whole and entire again- but in a certain amount of time.
The second reading continues with the letter to the Hebrews, which we have been with for the last few weeks. This section begins: do not distain the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when reproved by him. This seems rather odd on the surface, since it would seem to show that the Hebrews are exhibiting a certain amount of resistance to the Lord’s guidance. This can be rather worrying, since it would seem to have something to do with the Lord having a heavy hand or being rather cruel in dealing with his people. However, the letter continues in reminding them of the sacred place that they have: they are God’s sons and daughters! Does this mean that there will be a certain amount of discipline?
As the author sees it- absolutely- because it shows them that God deals with them in the same exact way that a father would deal with a child. They are truly cared for, even in the times that they might doubt that god hears them, or even has their best interest in mind!
Finally, we conclude our set of readings this morning with a passage from our continuing journey through Luke. There is an initial question from one of the disciples: Lord will only a few people be saved? This question, on the surface, may seem like it is just a shot in the dark. However, look at what is behind the question. This disciple feels that the road to the kingdom of heaven may be difficult! They have listened to what God is saying, and suddenly, they are concerned about what it may take, and so they ask a question that is the fruit of that fear- are there only a few in heaven?
Jesus answers this, but in a way that doesn’t negate responsibility, but also seeks to bolster confidence in the possibility of the kingdom of God. “Strive to enter through the narrow gate! Many will attempt to enter, but will not be strong enough!” To further emphasize this point, we hear this story about some guests who are at the front door, knocking. The master denies them entry- he does not know where they are from! He doesn’t know them- they haven’t frequented his presence! And yet, at the end there is this cap to the story- many will come from the east and the west- the north and the south- and will recline at table! They will be in heaven- and so there is a certain amount that will in fact enter!
Yet, when we hear this Gospel, how do we feel? What is our heart of hearts saying? Do we feel like we are doing enough to enter through that narrow gate? All too often in this life, brothers and sisters, we might have that temptation to do the bare minimum, and to simply skate by. To do what we see as necessary to just make it. Yet, is it truly enough? When all of eternity hangs in the balance- are we certain that we are following God as closely as we should be, or is there more work to be done?
There are two fundamental points that really are drawn out here from the readings, and they are worth noting! First, the kingdom of God is possible to obtain! Heaven is there, and is quite real! If we pay attention to the reading from Isaiah, we are told that there is a gathering of nations- and yet, it isn’t just in that time- but this gathering points us to the kingdom of God! We should not be left without hope or simply with questions in our hearts as to whether heaven is real or isn’t or whether God will even let us in. It is a real place- we need not think that it is impossible to obtain entrance, no matter what we have done.
Yet, there is a second point, and it may be the more challenging one for us to consider: the kingdom of Heaven is not, in fact, easy to get into. Jesus uses this imagery of a very narrow gate- reminding his disciples- and us- just how difficult it may be to get into heaven. And note this warning as well! When those who are shut outside of the house say “We ate and drank in your company!” They are saying- but we went to Mass and we received the Eucharist. Is the Eucharist important? I can unequivocally and absolutely say “YES!” However, if we simply rely on just showing up, receiving communion, and going home to do as we want- we may find ourselves utterly disappointed when it comes to appearing before our Lord at the end of all things. Or even when they tell him “you taught in our streets!” Another way to think of this: we heard the Sunday homily! Are homilies necessary- certainly! Yet, it isn’t enough if we don’t take what the homily said and act on it in trying to attain eternal life! It isn’t enough to leave Jesus’s words in the street- we have to invite him into our homes- his word, and his scripture shouldn’t be left outside! We must adopt them and take them upon ourselves- for they truly are part and parcel of what it is to live the Christian life- and to live it well.
Brothers and sisters, sometimes we have to do our work- we have to clean up our rooms. This doesn’t mean taking the easy way out, or doing the bare minimum. Sometimes we have to work on our hearts and our souls- and that can be where a lot of the difficult work comes in. Yet, for each one of us- if we commit ourselves to furthering God’s kingdom- then we can take comfort in knowing that we are coming. If we are faithful now, God will be faithful to us- and we can rest assured of entering the kingdom of God. Recall, We can live our lives in worry and fear of the end. We can also live in ignorance or simply ignore the kingdom of God. Or, as Jesus encourages us to, we can embrace the coming reality so as to approach the good ending that we desire: the kingdom of God. It is up to us to make that choice and to follow it out!
Brothers and sisters, the gate is indeed narrow- but not impassible. Let us work diligently in every way we can to attain the kingdom of God now, so that we can enter into that kingdom and that banquet in the life to come as well.
