Readings: Isaiah 66:18-21; PSALM 117; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22-30
Grace and peace to you, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord. Today is the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C.
In the Gospel, someone asked Jesus a striking question: “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” (Luke 13:23).
The Context of the Question
Among the Jews of Jesus’ time, there were different opinions:
Some believed that all Jews, and only Jews, would be saved.
Others thought that not even all Jews would be saved.
A small group believed that salvation could extend beyond the Jews.
So the questioner wanted to know Jesus’ position, and perhaps even whether he personally had hope of being saved.
Do we not sometimes ask the same question ourselves? “Will I be among those saved? Is there hope for me, a sinner, to spend eternity with Jesus?”
When I was growing up, I remember the Jehovah’s Witnesses teaching that only 144,000 people, as mentioned in Revelation 7 and 14, would be saved. This made salvation seem frighteningly limited, and left many of us feeling hopeless.
But what does Jesus actually teach?
Four Lessons from Jesus’ Answer
I. The Error of Universalism
Jesus rejects the idea that everyone will automatically be saved regardless of how they live. This false belief that after death all will somehow rest in God’s peace contradicts Scripture and the teaching of the Church. Yes, God “desires all people to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4), but some freely reject Him and choose to use their free will to do evil, and by so doing, they choose eternal separation from God (cf. CCC 1035, 1037).
II. Focus on Our Own Salvation
Jesus does not give numbers or statistics. He does not tell us who will or will not be saved. Many of us want to know the fate of those who died without believing in God or who died while struggling with their faith. Jesus tells us today to leave judgment to Him, He is the just judge.
Jesus turns the focus back to us, we should instead “Strive to enter through the narrow door” (Luke 13:24). The concern is not about others but about whether I myself am walking the path to salvation.
The Greek word Jesus uses is Agōnizesthe- the root of our word “agonize.” It means to struggle, to fight, to make strong, consistent effort. Salvation is not automatic; it requires deliberate striving.
III. What Is the Narrow Gate?
It is:
1. The gate of true obedience to Christ’s Word, living faithfully according to His will and teaching and not our own preferences, convenience, desires or theology.
2. The gate of repentance and renunciation of sin, turning away from what separates us from God.
3. The gate of self-discipline and self-denial, allowing God’s pruning and correction to keep us on track (cf. Hebrews 12:5-7).
4. The gate of detachment, letting go of anything, anyone, or any desire that jeopardises our relationship with God (cf. Hebrews 12:1).
IV. The Reality of Choices
Life offers us many choices, but eternity offers only two: eternal life with God or eternal separation from Him. Jesus warns us that many will desire eternal life, but only those who strive now, who pass through the narrow gate will enter.
Conclusion
Dear friends, salvation is God’s free gift, but it requires our free cooperation. Let us not be careless about eternity. Let us strive with prayer, repentance, self-discipline, obedience, and perseverance to enter through the narrow gate. May we never be counted among those who are left outside, but among those who will rejoice forever in the banquet of God’s Kingdom.
Sermon preached by Fr Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on August 24, 2025.