25th August 2013, XXI Sunday in the Ordinary Time
The experience of
standing in a queue, the tedium of entering the metal detector at places with
extra vigilance or waiting for the token number at the bank… these are no
rarities in our ordinary life. Jesus draws a simple example, one similar to
these, our experiences.
The door to the
Reign of God is narrow, not many take that door, though everyone is invited to
enter the Reign. There are many other doors, which seem more comfortable, more
spacious and more adorned and people prefer them, knowing least that they do
not lead to the Reign of God, the greatest treasure in store for us!
Entering the narrow
door is a task quite demanding – the readings today point to three traits that
are needed to be able to enter the Reign through the narrow door. As Jesus
tells us in the Gospel, many try to enter but they cannot.
To able to enter
the door, one should be strong! Strive – says the Lord – Strive to enter – To
strive means to struggle, to make all the efforts possible, to try real hard.
One needs to be strong in mind, heart and soul to strive to enter the narrow
door into the Reign. It is Spiritual strength we are dealing with here. Be Strong, but avoid Spiritual Obesity,
warns the Lord. If you are obese, you cannot enter the narrow door – it’s
obvious! Spiritual Obesity – Pride and Elitist mentality – which gives into self
righteousness and judgmental attitude can never get us into the Reign of God. I
am baptized, I am a born-again, I am a consecrated religious, I am a Sacred
minister – nothing can get you in! From the east and the west, the north and
the south everyone will enter and sit at the table in the Reign says the Lord.
Mind you, there are no reservations here in. A bit of disciplining, as the
second reading suggests, can get us in shape.
To be able to enter
the door, one should be in communion! The way is long, we reflected on that
last week. Communion with each other and Communion with those who have managed
to enter the door before us, can really make the task easy and enjoyable. Our forerunners
are our example, our model and can even be our helpers – but finally, the one
who has to enter is me! It is you! That is why we are warned today – Be in Communion but avoid Spiritual
Infantilism. At times we make our faith so infantile that we think
everything depends on the candles we light, the formulae we repeat, the food we
give up and the coins we drop. These are means to strengthen our relationship
with God – but they are not everything. What matters most is our personal life
of commitment and integrity. You cannot enter the narrow door in groups… one by
one you have to do it. That means you cannot ride on the goodness of the other,
either the living or those gone before you!
To be able to enter
the door, one should be patient! The wait is long, for the door is narrow!
Waiting on the Lord is a spiritual talent. To wait patiently, amidst failures
and pressures, amidst temptations and struggles, amidst dark nights and heavy
burdens, it is the only way one can be prepared and prompt when one’s time
comes! There is a warning here too: Be
Patient but avoid Spiritual Lethargy. In the name of patience I cannot
procrastinate my commitment and postpone my conversion to a later moment.
‘Repent and Believe, for the Reign of God is near’ says the Lord. Being patient is not being busy with something else
till my turn comes… but persevering, enduring and constantly working on myself
that when my turn comes, I am in shape, prepared enough and fit to enter the
narrow door that leads me to the behold the eternal glory of the Lord Almighty!
I am the door, if
anyone enters through me, he or she will be saved (Jn 10:9) declared the Lord
elsewhere! Jesus is the door, the narrow door, the demanding door – He is
compassionate, yes; but at the same time uncompromising. The choice is ours to
choose the narrow door, make ourselves strong, united and patient, to endure
our everyday life and make straight the path for our feet, so that what is lame
may not be put out of joint but rather be healed (heb 12:13). The door is narrow
but there is enough space to enter, if we are in ready and willing.
All, but not all…
One by one is the call…
Let us enter the Narrow Door, one and all.