We hear in today's gospel someone asking Jesus, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" This, to me, sounds like someone more worried about other people "making it" or "not making it" to heaven. Jesus goes on to point out to "Strive to enter through the narrow gate..." He then goes on to explain that many will attempt but are not strong enough to enter. Jesus is teaching us to not to worry about what others are doing regarding their salvation.
Entry into the kingdom will require more than desire. It demands faith and discipline. It also requires a total allegiance to Jesus. Not everyone has what it takes, and entrance is not automatic. This is exemplified by the master who locks a door with people outside clamoring to get in but having no credentials.
There is only one way to heaven. That narrow way is through salvation won for us by Christ. No one else could open the gates for us. He alone is God and human. He alone could pay the debt of our sins.
We may ask, "Who can enter the narrow gate?" There are some people who would restrict salvation to Christians who were baptized by immersion as adults. That would leave most of us out who were sprinkled or had water poured on us when we were baptized as infants. Other people would assure salvation to Christians who claim to believe in Jesus. Jesus says that belief in him in not enough. Our faith must be active.
What about non-Christians? Can they be saved? Some would say that only those who confess Christ as their personal savior can be saved. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us otherwise in paragraph 847, quoting Lumen Gentium: "Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with sincere heart, and moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation."
In our first reading for today from Isaiah we hear that God wants all people from every nation to be brought to His Holy Mountain. Would our narrow perspective shut out those whom God would welcome?
Entitlement will not count. Not even blood relationship counts. Places of power and prestige have no clout at heaven's gate. The parable of Lazarus and the rich man show that.
In John's Gospel, Christ says, "I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved." (John 10:9) In today's Gospel from Luke, Jesus says to "enter through the narrow gate." At Holy Mass we receive Jesus, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. In a way, that "Gate" enters us. May we never stay far from that Gate - from a relationship with Christ.
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