In today’s passage, Luke presents a Jesus who, quite unlikely of himself, uses threats and condemnations. Jesus speaks of a narrow gate that is almost impossible to pass and is closed. Latecomers are badly rejected: “It is too late,” cries the owner, “get out of here! Away from me! I do not know you! There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!”
What did prompt Jesus to pronounce these harsh words? One would never have expected such a reaction from Jesus. One who loved tax collectors and sinners and willingly accepted their invitations to dinner now slams the door in the faces of his friends.
Indeed, this was Luke’s way of addressing certain wrong behaviours that were taking roots in his community. Permissiveness, fatigue, the presumption of being righteous before God, arrogance, pride and the belief that good intentions are sufficient for salvation were infiltrating his communities. Luke realises that the risk of being excluded from God’s Kingdom looms on many Christians and feels compelled to refute the false optimism that has spread.
The question raised to Jesus was, “Is it true that a few people will be saved?” (v.23). Jesus takes no position on the subject. He prefers not to speculate about the end of the world and eternal salvation. However, Jesus wants to clarify how one becomes his disciple and enters the Kingdom of God.
The first condition is to “Do your best to enter by the narrow door” (v. 24). To pass through a narrow door means to make oneself small. One cannot be a disciple of Jesus unless he makes himself small and servant of all. The Pharisees were good people and led an impeccable and exemplary life; they fasted twice a week and were not thieves or adulterers. However, their fault was their self-righteous attitude – they were convinced to please God by following the law and publicly displaying works of charity. They claim to enter the banquet hall, shouting their reasons. They say: “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets” (v. 26).
Who are they? Luke presents them as people who knew Jesus well, believed in Jesus and ate the bread with him. Luke was referring to the members of the Christian community. Their names are written in the records of baptisms, and they read the Gospel and participate in the Eucharistic banquet. Moreover, they believe their participation in the Eucharist guarantees their entry into the Kingdom of God. But, Jesus refutes that notion.
“I do not know you,” the Lord tells lukewarm Christians who are contented with belonging externally to the community and celebrate empty liturgies, which are reduced to external rites that do not transform life. This condemnation is not a conclusive rejection, not an exclusion from eternal salvation.
They are a pressing invitation to urgently reconsider one’s spiritual life because many cultivate illusions of being disciples, but in reality, they are not. In Chapter 9 of Luke’s Gospel, “Jesus took a child and stood him by his side and said,’ The least among you all, is the one who is the greatest!”’ (Luke 9:46-48).
For your reflection:
Who does not strive to become small cannot take part in the banquet of the Kingdom.
Father Fernando
Armellini SCJ
