21st Sunday in Ordinary Time [C]
August 21, 2022
Luke 13:20-33

Jesus says that the gate to salvation is narrow, and it is difficult to enter. Simply put, it is hard to be saved. His answer is a pessimistic to the deepest desire we have in our hearts. If St. Paul says that God desires that all men and women be saved [1 Tim 2:4], then why does Jesus teach that the gate is narrow? If Jesus teaches God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life, [John 3:16], why now does Jesus says that many will not be able to enter. If He knows that many will not pass through the door of salvation, why does Jesus have to die and open the door? Does Jesus contradict himself?

Jesus neither contradicts Himself nor tells us a lie. God indeed loves us and desires our salvation. Jesus does sacrifice Himself to save all of humanity, and open the gate of paradise for all us. The reason why the gate of heaven looks narrow, it is because the gate of hell is even bigger and more enticing. Jesus makes it clear that some people fail to enter because they persist in their evil deeds.

The way to hell is indeed more alluring. Satan has the best marketing and promotion team, and he and his army know well how to manipulate us. Satan recognizes that humans are attracted to ‘instant pleasures’, and he readily disguises evil with pleasures. Why do some married couples are not faithful despite knowing that it is terrible sin? It is because the affair is full of excitements. Why do people commit abortion despite awareness that it is killing a baby? For it gives an instant escape. Why do people steal despite knowing that it heavily harms other people? For it offers us an instant wealth.

The way to hell is even wider because Satan makes us believes that sinful behaviors are not evil and in fact, something to celebrate. Some people are proud when they aborted their babies, and say, ‘my body, my right’. Some people are cheering when they are changing their partners so casually. Some people are encouraging us to look for happiness in new age movements and occultism, and say, ‘new ways to happiness’.

Jesus clarifies further that it is not enough to ‘eat with Jesus’ and ‘hear His teachings’ to be saved. We may go to the Church, we may be baptized as Catholics, and we may receive the communion, but if we continue to dwell in sinful lives, we may endanger our souls. We may attend prayer meetings and shout to the top our lungs, ‘Jesus is Lord’, we may even preach the Gospel, but if we keep living in sin, we may lose heaven.

Jesus truly dies for us and God indeed loves us, but we need to strive harder for heaven. We are invited to make daily decisions to repent and to integrate God in our lives. The gate of heaven is as small as the confessional door, but it is infinitely more precious that the gate of hell.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP