22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
This Sunday’s gospel begins by setting the scene: Jesus is traveling through villages on his way to Jerusalem. He’s become famous and so people come to hear his teaching and ask him questions. One person asks him about salvation and, more particularly, about whether many people will be saved. Is God generous and seeking to bring all humanity into his kingdom or does he just want an elite few? People have asked this question throughout the ages.
Jesus’ initial response seems to go towards the latter. He talks about the “narrow door” which suggests that heaven has little space and therefore few people. But notice that Jesus does not really answer the question because he stresses, not the number who will be saved, but our need to listen to his message and change our lives. Arithmetic is not what’s important. What we need to concentrate on is working to become better people.
Indeed, in the final part of this reading, the scene changes to the heavenly banquet and, this time, Jesus suggests that heaven will be full – but perhaps not with the people we expect (or ourselves). Certainly, the ancestors of Israel and the prophets will be there, but many others will also enter and from all parts of the world. The final sentence is a warning none of us should ignore for it suggests that those who think they are saved may have a terrible surprise coming. Of course, the first will be last and the last first does not mean the first will be completely excluded – just that they may have to wait awhile. But we should still heed Jesus’ warnings and work to follow his teaching.
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