21st Sunday in Ordinary Time 2022

When Jesus asks if many will be saved, Jesus uses the example of the narrow gate. Many will try to go through it and will be unable to do so. “A Christian’s struggle must be unceasing, for interior life consists in beginning and beginning again. This prevents us from proudly thinking that we are perfect already. It is inevitable that we should meet difficulties on our way. If we did not come up against obstacles, we would not be creatures of the flesh and blood. We will always have passions which pull us downwards; we will always have to defend ourselves against more or less self-defeating urges.” (St J. Escrivá, Christ is Passing By, 75). 

Generally speaking, the Jewish people regarded themselves as the sole beneficiaries of the messianic promises made by the prophets; but Jesus proclaims that salvation is open to everyone. The only condition he lays down is that men freely respond to God’s merciful call.  “All men are called to belong to the new people of God. This People therefore, while remaining one and only one, is to be spread throughout the whole world and to all ages in order that the design of God’s will may be fulfilled: he made human nature one in the beginning and has decreed that all his children who were scattered should be finally gathered together as one.” (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, 13)

Yours in Christ, 

Fr. Vincent Clemente

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