UNIVERSAL SALVATION !
First Reading: Isaiah 66: 18-21
Second Reading: Hebrews 12: 5-7 and 11-12
Gospel Reading: Luke 13: 22-30
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah speaks about a time of universal salvation. He elaborates that the Lord God is going to gather all nations and language groups into one fold. The Lord God in His goodness, love and mercy wants to gather the dispersed people and bring reconciliation to everyone. Further, the Prophet assures us that people will come to Jerusalem from all nations and they will bring offerings to the Lord God. For priestly duties too, persons will be selected from every nation.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Hebrews. The Apostle explains that every father disciplines his son/daughter. If we are disciplined and chastised by God, it is a sure sign that God treats us as His own children. God trains us, His children through many sufferings so that we may grow to maturity and reach our goal. Hence discipline, training and perseverance are essential prerequisites of the final glory that we will experience in the future.
Men will come from east and west. Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. One of the listeners questions Jesus regarding the number of people who will be eventually saved. He is obviously anxious to know about his own salvation and the salvation of others. In His reply Jesus exhorts everyone to enter by the narrow door. Then He narrates the parable of a house owner (God) who closed the door (at night) and many desire to enter through that door. They give many reasons so that they could gain admittance: eating and drinking with him, living in his neighbourhood etc. But the Master of that house is not convinced and dismisses them from his presence. Further, Jesus adds that many people from east and west, north and south (universal salvation) will enter the kingdom of God. It is our personal choice whether to enter through the narrow door (difficult life) which leads us to eternal life or to enter through the wide door (easy life) which leads us to eternal damnation. Hence the message is that entering the kingdom of God is not restricted to just a few people but people from every nationality and various communities. The path of Jesus (the narrow door) gives access to the kingdom of God.
"In our times a lot of Catholics only profess to believe but their deeds are opposed to their belief." - Catherine H Doherty
"Jesus came to bring integral salvation, one which embraces the whole person and all mankind." - St. John Paul II (Pope)
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