Luke 13:25 Words of Awakening

 

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: William J    ... >
To:  Donald    ... >
Sent: Sun, 22 August, 2010 11:11:37
Subject: Luke 13:25 words of awakening

Dear Father Donald,

 

Just to share a little bit of soul searching that might interest you as I read today's Gospel - for I discover something new every time I read a Gospel passage!

 

Today's Gospel has always seemed to me to represent inclusion or exclusion in the Kingdom of Heaven as a [done deed], as a consequence of our faith and the quality of our lives, but the NAB commentary gives a more urgent message that is directed at us today:

 

Luke:13:25 After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking

 

(cf Matthew 25:10 .. those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked)

 

The commentary reads:

 

13:22-30 - These sayings of Jesus follow in Luke upon the parables of the kingdom (vv 18-21) and stress that great effort is required for entrance into the kingdom (v 24) and that there is an urgency to accept the present opportunity to enter because the narrow door will not remain open indefinately (v 25). Lying behind the sayings is the rejection of Jesus and his message by his Jewish contemporaries (v 26) whose places at table in the kingdom will be taken by Gentiles from the four corners of the world (v 29).

 

The commentary 'softens' the statement to a degree by adding the historical context, but I always consider that, as we give ourselves to listen to the Gospels, our faith in Jesus draws us into the group of listeners and thus we become his contemporaries... I do not think we can comfort ourselves by considering that we are, after all, of the 'Gentiles' who being last to hear will, at our departing, instantly be allowed in first!

 

Much soul searching going on in this corner of the crowd wending its way (v 22) to Jerusalem...

 

...  in Our Lord,

William  

 

William, 

Thanks for the Gospel Comment. 
The above view is among Nunraw hidden streams in deep woods. (Donald)