Twenty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time (Lk. 13: 22-30) Narrow Path or Tunnel Vision
Twenty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time (Lk. 13:22-30) “Narrow Path or Tunnel Vision”
We all like to succeed. We have key moments in life when we want to push through the door of opportunity. One of those times might be when we apply to a college. When I was a senior in high school, I remember we would talk about bong letters, which were letters that told us we weren’t accepted at a college. Students would feel sad when then would get such letters. But we would proudly stack up the acceptance letters so we could accept or reject the offers.
What would give people the edge when applying at a university? That was always the question. Who can forget the scandal that took place a few years ago when some celebrity parents tried to manipulate the system in order to get their children into universities. Bribes were paid to college administrators. Test results were manipulated. The parents believed that the road to success was a very narrow one which drove them to try to illegally influence the process.
Doesn’t it seem silly to go to such lengths when we consider all the different universities in our country? Somehow it appears short sighted to think that only degrees from a small number of colleges are worth having. But many believe that the road to success only unfolds if we play the game of life a certain way. If we are wise, we know that we can define achievement in a variety of ways.
The person who asked Jesus “who would be saved” in the Gospel of Luke seemed to have the idea that only a few people would make it through the gate into the Kingdom. At first glance, it seems that Jesus agreed. But, if we keep reading this Gospel, we hear Jesus say that many will come from the east and the west, the north and the south and will have a place at the table. What is going on here?
We have an expression that we hear often. “It isn’t what you know, but who you know.” If we want to receive a privilege of some kind, like getting into a college, we might feel that if we know an administrator, if we are friends with an influential alum, we have a better chance of acceptance.
Jesus says that people are going to try that with him. “I kept company with you Lord. I ate with you. I drank with you.” Jesus tells the crowd that this doesn’t matter. Something else is more important. What is that something else?
Do we need to do something extra to be saved? How often we seem to believe that we do. If we just do one more thing that will ensure that we will make it into the Kingdom of Heaven. People often believe they can correct all their faults. Some think they might do this might by trying to celebrate Reconciliation once a week. Some might even try to go to confession every day. People often think that this is the only way to constantly be in the state of grace. But such beliefs often lead people into the spiritual sickness of scrupulosity. God becomes that supreme being who is constantly evaluating our behavior. God becomes an enemy to fear.
Something is wrong with that spirituality. If we fall into relating to God like this, it is impossible to see God as our loving parent. Whenever we try to perfect ourselves, we end up worshiping ourselves. We become the God we adore. We need to remember God alone is perfect. We have three memorial acclamations that we use after the words of consecration at Mass. The acclamations proclaim the core beliefs of our Christian Faith. One of them says, “Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.” A longer version adds, “You are the savior of the world.”
I remember once when a friend of mine in ministry shared a session she shared with her spiritual director. She told her director how many holy tasks she had done in her ministry, all of them were good things, but she was burnt out from constantly giving. The director said you must remember something, “There is one savior of the world, and it isn’t you.”
Who is it who will make it through the narrow door. By that I don’t mean, make it to heaven, but I mean live in the Kingdom of Jesus right now and for all eternity. The person who will make it through the door now and forever is that person who gives up the idea that they need to save themselves. We all need to embrace the belief that Jesus did the hard work for us. We must realize how freeing it is to believe this. We need to let go of our ego. Sounds easy, but it’s hard to owe someone a great debt. But embracing Jesus’ mercy and returning that love to God and others is the narrow path that leads to life in the Kingdom.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do I try to correct all my flaws? What is the fault I feel the worst about?
2. Is it easy for me to owe someone a favor? Why is this so?
Dear Parishioners,
The Annual Diocesan Appeal will work differently this year. First, it will be in September (the 11th and 12th) and not the spring of the year as it was for many years. This adjustment was made because of the pandemic. We have a lot of parish activities in the fall so this creates a different dynamic than when the ADA is in April.
The Diocese of Peoria will be taking care of most of the clerical work. Envelopes will be mailed directly to parishioners with information about the appeal. The donations should be mailed back to the diocese and not brought to the church. There will be no in pew solicitation this year. There is an option to give electronically so please consider that possibility.
Last year Sacred Heart was $19,000 short on its goal. This year our goal has gone up by another $9,000 to $124,000. If we do not make our target, we must make up the shortfall. We need everyone’s help to achieve our goal. Please donate when you get your appeal.
May Our Lady of Peace pray for our violent world today.
Fr. Mark
P.S. Keep in mind that our last outdoor Mass will be on September 4th at 9:15 a.m. Please bring a lawn chair to sit on.
