ARE YOU SAVED?

XXI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Luke 13:22-30

The people of Israel always felt as being privileged and considered themselves as the “chosen people”, as if God only cared for them and ignored all the others. However, very soon, the prophets came to realise that the people of Israel were set apart for the sake of all other peoples of the earth. God chose Israel because he cares about the wellbeing and the salvation of all peoples. In spite of desiring the best for his people, Isaiah was not narrow-minded and he was not in any way a man full of bigotry; guided by the Spirit of God, he was open-minded and his gaze reaches far and wide. He understood that God had a plan of salvation for all: “The Lord says this: I am coming to gather the nations of every language. They shall come to witness my glory.”

However, we should not take salvation for granted. It is not a “fait accompli”. And there is always the danger that we may never get hold of it. There are some people who blindly believe that they are saved already. We received a promise of salvation and we call ourselves disciples of Jesus Christ. We know that we are saved by his grace: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ep 2:8-9). Does that mean that no matter what we are already saved? On his side, God has done everything, showing deep love and commitment, being faithful to his covenant. However, salvation depends as well on the answer we give to God’s call. If we ignore his love and turn our backs on him, he will not drag us against our will and he will force us into heaven.

This Sunday’s gospel speaks about the earnestness with which we should approach the door to salvation: “‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.” This means that we must try hard and be forceful in order to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus advises us to take seriously the road to salvation, being committed to the keeping of the commandments, that is being committed to living by love. It is not enough to call ourselves Christians, we must follow the Way of Jesus Christ. If we do not do so, he will disown us.