Finding your narrow door

Sunday 24 August 2025 

(Year C: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time)

 ‘…some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last ..’ (Luke 13:30)

AN OVERVIEW OF THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS*

Isaiah 66:18-21

Psalm 117

Hebrews 12:5-13

Luke 13:22-30

Finding our way through life can be taxing.  There are so many choices and we may feel pulled in different directions.  The default position is to stay stuck in a particular place or situation fearing that change could bring something worse.  Or, we may feel the weight of pressure - family, friends and society - to conform and follow the main herd.  This Sunday's readings challenge us to find the way to happiness not through doing our own will but following the inner voice of conscience and reason.
It is good to enjoy the journey. But, we need to consider the end goal.

On a hill on the Aran islands there is possibly the smallest church of 'cill' in Ireland. it is that of Naomh Beanán or Saint Benan.  Getting in and out is a squeeze. On a good day such as when I took this photo one could see Mount Brandon in County Kerry as well as the cliffs of Moher in nearby county Clare. The trek to the top of the hill is easy but involves crossing some rocky ground and negotiating briars and cow dung on the way.  On a rainy and stormy night this place must be desolate and frightening. Nothing stands against the Atlantic except a carefully built Cill which has stood the test of almost 1,000 years.  St Benan about whom we know almost nothing is one witness to countless saints, lay people and monks who paved a pathway for us in the 21st century.

Someone asked Jesus: 'Lord, will only a few be saved?' (Luke 13:23). Jesus did not answer the question but challenged that someone  to 'Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able' (Luke 13:24). Jesus goes on to elaborate by using an analogy of a master who locked the door of the house and refused entry to a late arrival.  'I do not know where you come from' declared the master. The late arrival claimed that had hung out with the master eating and drinking in his company and were beneficiaries of his teaching.  Jesus uses stark terms and language to describe not only how the late arrival did not gain entry in spite of worthy protestations, but, found themselves cast out where there 'will be weeping and gnashing of teeth'.  The consequences of consciously excluding ourselves from the kingdom of God are as serious as it can get.

Consider that we can attach too much importance to being known by many.  What matters is to be known by a few for the right reasons and, above all, being known by God.  In the critically acclaimed 1960s historical drama, "A Man for all Seasons", about Sir (Saint) Thomas More and his stance against King VIII there is a telling conversation between More and an ambitious young man called Richard Rich.  The latter sought for a higher position in court to which More replied: “Why not be a teacher? You’d be a fine teacher. Perhaps a great one.” Rich answered: “And if I was, who would know it?” to which More wrapped it up: “You; your pupils; your friends; God. Not a bad public, that.”  (Rich did climb the greasy pole and betrayed More and others).

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah reminds us that:

For I know their works and their thoughts, and I am coming to gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and shall see my glory.

We may think we are saved because we just follow religious practices, literally 'eating and drink' with the Lord in the Eucharist and hearing his teaching Sunday after Sunday.  However, actions that match stated beliefs are what counts.  The way of salvation is through love and that means losing our own selfishness.  The narrow gate to freedom is a two way passage: leading into the kingdom of God for those who live by the beatitudes and leading out to those who need to let go of their false notions of goodness and righteousness.  

Salvation is for everyone but not everyone is saved.

Following the path of salvation is an individual choice but always set in a context of community and relationship.  We do not travel alone.  Letting go of what hinders, deflects and weighs us down takes endurance and discipline. this is what the author of the Letter to the Hebrews is talking about in today's second reading. He urges  the Hebrews to 'Endure trials for the sake of discipline'.  In other words, all the nuisances, worries and sufferings we endure and cannot shake off can serve a useful purpose. They can teach and train us to seek what is true and good and beautiful rather than what is false, ugly and even evil. Discipline is what the learner engages in and the disciple (literally the learner) undergoes some suffering and privation to attain to a good.

Each must find their own narrow path and door to life.  And the way to life is paved by trust and good deeds. We are powerless to save ourselves except by cooperating with grace that God gives us.  We may be in for a major shock after this life to find ourselves in unexpected company for

some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last. (Luke 13:30)

Footnotes * 

These readings are taken from the Sunday lectionary used in most Catholic churches. The source is BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages (using the New Revised Standard Version - anglicised catholic edition).