In both the first reading and the gospel, we have the common image of many people coming from far away to one place.  In the reading from the Prophet Isaiah, people are coming to the holy mountain, to Jerusalem, to make their offering to God, something all the Israelites did faithfully.  In the Gospel, people will come from east the from the west, the north and south, to recline at table in the kingdom of God.  Instead of putting out a sign that says, “Open 24 hours—Come in,” Jesus says many will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.  And he says, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.”  What is he saying?  Is Jesus being exclusive?

I wrestle with this because indeed I believe God is always open to us, always welcoming us.  It is never too late.  But perhaps I also need to understand that there are certain limitations that we have to bear in mind.  We certainly know this in our human interactions.  When I visit with my family or friends, I know the visit has a beginning, a middle, and an end.  If I am not fully present to people (perhaps because I am on my phone!), then the visit will end, and I will have missed connecting with the people I wanted to connect with.  

Jesus knew that his time was limited.  And he wanted people to be present to the moment that he was with them.  Some of the religious leaders who would have been most likely to be “first” in line to accept Jesus were actually the last people to come around.  In fact, some of them rejected Jesus and put him to death.  Others, meanwhile, foremost among them outcasts, the poor, and sinners, readily embraced Jesus.  These “least” ones were then among the “first.”

The second reading reminds us that discipline is required in the spiritual life:  “Whom the Lord loves, he disciplines.”  We also need a certain amount of discipline to be present to others and to be present to this moment in which we live.  If we look around and do not avert our eyes, we can see how people are afraid and suffering.  But if we don’t look around, we will miss the narrow gate to other peoples’ realities.  May what we celebrate this Sunday at mass help us enter the narrow gate to God’s presence in others around us.

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Mary Acosta

Coordinadora de Asistencia a Víctimas

(858) 490-8353.