Although the scripture question is about afterlife, people suffering severely --here and now, are more than likely not worrying about the Kingdom to come—they are worrying about how to survive—be saved now. 

 

The answer as to whether or not we (who are more than likely not homeless or starving) will be saved is offered by Jesus in the same gospel passage from Luke for this Sunday. It all depends on the here and now –salvation is not a future in heaven. He states: “strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many…will attempt… but many will not be strong enough.” 

 

He is telling us to go deeper—get beyond the rhetoric and hollow ritual that can take place when we just “mouth” our faith. He says put it into action--live it. Showing up for church, while admirable, is not enough. What is expected of a Christian is to live here and now as accountable for one another.

 

The narrow gate of Jesus is discipleship. It is a way to salvation concerned with changing the world, not escaping from it. Our narrow path is to do the work of Jesus here—to help bring about the reign of God on earth—before his final kingdom come. Serving as His disciple’s calls for us to work for God’s justice and overcome the sin of injustice that we encounter and/or may contribute to each day.

 

As we hear in our first reading from the Prophet Isaiah, the Lord was gathering people from all parts of the world, all languages and cultures, to come and be one with Him and one another. They were to bring their offering to the temple in clean vessels. We are vessels of the Lord, and there are times when we need to be cleansed by his mercy—forgiveness, like sins of bigotry, hatred, and the things that keep us from responding to the many opportunities of making an acceptable offering to the Lord; especially by indifference to the needs of others.

 

There is an ancient Talmud story, the Jewish teachings about God’s activity and meaning in laws from scripture. One day worshippers in the temple noticed God at prayer, wrapped in a prayer shawl. They overheard what he was saying. Again and again came the refrain, “Oh, that my justice may not overcome my mercy.” Oh, that my justice may not overcome my mercy. Shouldn’t that be our daily prayer? We can become blinded by self-righteous justice and condemnation overcoming our mercy!

 

The entrance through the narrow gate is how we view and treat all of God’s children and work to share our gifts. It is how we welcome the immigrant/fugitive-foreigner—remembering how few of us are native to this blessed nation, it is how we treat prisoners, and feed and clothe persons suffering in poverty.

 

It is how we overcome our own bigotry, for example: I’ve heard people say everything always goes to those Mexican kids! What child ever had a choice as to where they were born, into what circumstances, family, country, race, creed, or culture? Shockingly, at times such derogatory insensitive bigoted statements come from those who are first generation here or others who immigrated here from different countries. The oppressed become the oppressors may be the way of some, but it is not God’s way in Christ—thanks be to God!

 

“Thus says the LORD: I know their works and their thoughts, and I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory. I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations.” (Is.66:18)

What are we doing about all the fugitives in our nation? What are we doing about all the homeless Americans and Veterans?

 

The merciful love of Jesus is open to all beyond human justice. And we become transformed while living his justice and mercy; especially in helping those who are most in need. And God turns the tables on us—we become blessed by those we help; they help us get through the narrow gate of discipleship by bringing out our goodness; our God-ness.

 

Being a welcoming faith family is witnessing the compassion of Jesus present in us that motivates and converts us. And it isn’t only our money, food, clothing, housing, water, it is blessing with our hands to reach and help others—going out to be with people in need—meeting them, acknowledging our humanity to one another.

 

Whether it is taking the Lord in Communion to our homebound, raising prayers in the chapel, helping our elderly parishioners off of the bus, greeting at the doors, welcoming the immigrant, whatever contribution we make, becomes an offering acceptable to the Lord. We walk through the narrow gate of justice with mercy.

 

 

God’s answer might be in the form of a question to us: how many of my people will you help to be saved? 

 

Walk the talk, Fr. Gordon