Sunday 21st August 2022 Reflection By Fr. Kenneth Akua

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the liturgy of the word on this Sunday invites us to reflect on the question of salvation. The question of salvation is relevant at all times as we see an unnamed individual in the gospel who  courageously interrupts Jesus on his way to Jerusalem asking; “Lord, will only a few people be saved?”. Following this pertinent question and scenario, Jesus seizes the opportunity to teach the people of his time about the importance of entering the kingdom of God through the narrow door for many will attempt to enter but will not succeed. 

Jesus, in his remarkable response to the inquisitive individual lays emphasis on the necessity to struggle to enter the kingdom of God through the narrow gate of self-abnegation, sacrifice, complete self-forgetfulness for love. Interestingly, Jesus uses the image of the narrow door in contrast to a wide door. It signifies that to enter through the narrow door which leads to the kingdom of God, one must strive to do so or even fight for it. 

Having a place in the Kingdom of God is not going to be easy but it is possible to run a good race, fight a good fight and then become partakers of heaven. It's a daily struggle. Many will try but unable to do so or strong enough to finish the race. 

Salvation requires not only faith, but a firm commitment to live the gospel with works and the continuous struggle towards personal conversion, love of God, neighbour and especially love of one’s enemy or those whose vision and dream differ from ours. 

Salvation and the Kingdom of God are open to all men of every time without any iota of distinction. It is an ongoing process which highlights the universality of the redemption of mankind. The evangelist, John tells us that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” Jn. 3:16. 

The Dogmatic Constitution on the church called Lumen       Gentium (LG), affirms the necessity of the catholic faith for salvation and throws more light on anything contrary to the gospel. Thus, “Relying on scripture and tradition, it teaches that this pilgrim church is required for salvation. Present to us in his body which is the church, Christ alone is mediator and the way to salvation. Jesus asserts the necessity of faith and baptism as the gateway and door to membership in the church. A person who does not persevere, however, in charity is not saved even though incorporated into the church. Such people remain indeed in the bosom of the church, but only bodily not in their hearts”(LG 14). 

Today’s gospel reiterates the fact that it is not enough to have received all the sacraments in the church (baptism, Holy communion, Marriage, Holy Order etc). It is not enough to enumerate all the good works you have done over the years nor the meals and friendship you once had with the Lord. 

We may have a similar mentality with those who said to Jesus in the gospel “we ate and drank in your company, and you taught in our streets”, claiming personal connection and fellowship hoping that’s what matters most about knowing, serving and following Christ. We may even say Lord, I never missed Sunday or daily Mass, I always cleaned the church premises, I donated generously to the church and helped raised funds for parish projects. How will you feel if Jesus tells you, what you have done is not enough to get in through the narrow door. Were you an instrument of peace, reconciliation, unity and love in your family? Were you generous and charitable to your family members or neighbours? 

Dear people of God, a holy way of life and to receive salvation require a constant fight against ourselves, a daily effort to begin anew, a strive for personal and communal conversion, trials and temptations: all these serve for our purification and sanctification if we remain open and receptive to the grace of God. Have a blessed Sunday. 

 

Fr. Kenneth Akua, sm

 

 LITURGICAL CALENDAR 

 

Mon. 22th Our Lady  Mother and Queen 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5,11-12 Ps.95 Mtt 23:1-12

Tues. 23th  St. Rose of Lima 2 Thessalonians 2:3,14-17 Ps. 95 Mtt 23:23-26

Wed. 24th St. Bartholomew Apostle Apocalypse 21:9-14 Ps. 144 Jn 1:45-51

Thur. 25th St. Joseph of Calasanz 1 Corinthians Ps.144 Mtt.24:42-51

Fri. 26th Blessed Dominic Barberi 1 Corinthians 1:17-25 Ps 32 Mtt25:1-13

Sat. 27th St. Monica 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Ps. 32 Mtt 25:14-30

Sun.28th 28th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

PSALTER I 1st Reading: Ecclesiastics 3:19-21,30-31

2nd Reading: Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24 Ps.67 Lk 14:1,7-14