{"id":346,"date":"2013-08-24T12:51:20","date_gmt":"2013-08-24T12:51:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/?p=346"},"modified":"2014-12-18T11:22:28","modified_gmt":"2014-12-18T11:22:28","slug":"commentary20130825","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/commentary20130825\/","title":{"rendered":"Commentary on 21st Sunday of the year 25.08.2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

LUKE 13: 22\u201330<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ordinary Time Sunday 21C<\/strong><\/p>\n

TEXT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jesus on journey to Jerusalem<\/strong><\/p>\n

22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.<\/em><\/p>\n

How many will be saved?<\/strong><\/p>\n

23 And some one said to him, \u201cLord, will those who are saved be few?\u201d And he said to them, 24 \u201cStrive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, \u2018Lord, open to us\u2019.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

Punishment for sinners<\/strong><\/p>\n

He will answer you, \u2018I do not know where you come from.\u2019 26 Then you will begin to say, \u2018We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.\u2019 27 But he will say, \u2018I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

28 There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out.<\/em><\/p>\n

Reward for others<\/strong><\/p>\n

29 And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God.<\/em><\/p>\n

Last first; First last<\/strong><\/p>\n

30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

EXPLANATION<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Luke 13: 22 \u2014 17: 10 is the second part of Jesus\u2019 journey to Jerusalem and death. The first part was Luke 9: 51 \u2014 13: 21 where he treated of various aspects of discipleship. The second part begins with Luke 13: 22\u201330 which stresses the urgent need for conversion to be a member of the kingdom of God.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHe went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Once again Luke repeats that Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem and crucifixion and he is \u201cteaching<\/em>\u201d. He teaches by word but he also teaches by example. The most obvious example is his fidelity to his Father\u2019s will. Luke describes him as a \u2018teaching missionary\u2019. He does not limit himself to his followers and disciples. He visits \u201ctowns and villages<\/em>\u201d along the route. His journey is his opportunity to instruct his disciples and others in the \u201cways\u201d of God.<\/p>\n

Luke wishes to keep the reader\u2019s attention focussed on the end of Jesus\u2019 journey so that each item mentioned may be understood in the light of the crucifixion and redemption. Not many miracles are performed by Jesus on this journey. It is a teaching journey.<\/p>\n

The point in Luke repeating so frequently that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem was to make his disciples and followers aware of the cost of being with Jesus. A disciple does not follow merely physically behind Jesus; he shares in his way of life which includes sharing in his death.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

23 And some one said to him, \u201cLord, will those who are saved be few?\u201d And he said to them, 24 \u201cStrive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd some one said to him<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Luke takes the opportunity of questions to give teachings of Jesus (Lk. 9: 57; 10: 25; 11: 15, 27, 45; 12: 13, 41; 13: 1, 23).<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Lord<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The questioner addresses Jesus as \u201cLord<\/em>\u201d, his post resurrection divine title. It is unlikely that at this stage of Jesus\u2019 ministry the questioner would have understood the full meaning of this title. No doubt he regarded Jesus highly as a person who had extraordinary, if perhaps not divine knowledge of all matters.<\/p>\n

\u201cwill those who are saved be few?<\/em>\u2019\u201d \u2014 The background to this question was the Jewish presumption that as God\u2019s Chosen People they would be automatically saved and all others would be excluded from heaven. These had their own gods who could look after them.<\/p>\n

As is common when Jesus is asked a question, he does not answer directly but makes a remark or teaching on the same subject that directly affects the person posing the question. The question asked was a statistical curiosity: how many will be saved? Jesus ignores this and tells the audience that they personally are to \u201cstrive<\/em>\u201d to be saved.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he said to them, <\/em>\u2018Strive to enter by the narrow door<\/em>\u201d \u2014 One person asked the question but Jesus replied \u201cto them<\/em>\u201d, the plural. Then he added, \u2018You people strive\u2019 (also the plural), addressing the audience which we know numbered thousands (Lk. 12: 1). What Jesus told the audience was to refrain from curiosity about statistics and then he got personal, referring \u201cto them<\/em>\u201d, telling them to think first about themselves and their own salvation and make every endeavour to attain it. Jesus really answers the question, not \u2018how many\u2019 but who<\/em> will be saved?<\/p>\n

\u201cStrive<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The Greek syntax really means \u201ckeep on striving<\/em>\u201d, not a once off attempt.<\/p>\n

The Greek word implies a very strenuous effort. It comes from the same root as the word \u2018agonise\u2019 (\u201cagonizomai<\/em>\u201d) \u2014 people should agonise over their salvation and act accordingly. Entry into heaven is not automatic or easy because the entrance is like a \u201cnarrow door<\/em>\u201d which is a symbol of a gradual and difficult entrance.<\/p>\n

\u201cthe narrow door<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Luke does not explain what the \u201cnarrow door<\/em>\u201d is but we know from John\u2019s Gospel that Jesus declared himself to be the \u201cdoor<\/em>\u201d of life (Jn. 10: 7, 9\u201310). His way is not easy \u2014 it is a slow journey to crucifixion. What is required is personal commitment to Jesus and his way of living and dying.<\/p>\n

\u201cfor many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Here Jesus gives a warning to the original question: \u201cmany \u2026 will not be able<\/em>\u201d to enter. Entry will require effort and many people will not exert themselves in this respect and so will not succeed. Reasons for this are given in the following verses.<\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

25 When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, \u2018Lord, open to us.\u2019 He will answer you, \u2018I do not know where you come from.\u2019 26 Then you will begin to say, \u2018We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.\u2019 27 But he will say, \u2018I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!\u2019<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, \u201cLord, open to us.<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus compares himself to a householder who locks the entrance door. People who wish to enter should come in time, availing of the opportunity before the door is closed. Just because someone knocks and asks him to open the door is not sufficient for Jesus, the householder, to comply and unlock. Certain preparatory conditions must be fulfilled, one of which is to embrace the opportunity when it is presented. This is why they must \u201ckeep<\/em> striving<\/em>\u201d in good time.<\/p>\n

\u201cLord, open to us.<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Nor is it sufficient to merely call on Jesus as \u201cLord<\/em>\u201d, even in prayer, to have him open the door. \u201cNot everyone who says to me, \u2018Lord, Lord\u2019 will enter the kingdom of heaven<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe will answer you, <\/em>\u2018I do not know where you come from<\/em>.\u2019 \u2013Jesus will deny knowing the person who does not fulfil the necessary conditions. The Jews knocking on the door presumed that because they were Jews they had every right to enter. Jesus corrects them and tells them that their relationship is not sufficient nor intimate but superficial. They were not committed to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you will begin to say, \u2018We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.<\/em>\u2019 \u2014 They will reply that the relationship was more than casual because they ate meals with Jesus and listened to his teaching. To eat and drink in his presence does not necessarily imply close companionship or commitment. To listen to him lecture at street corners can also be quite casual and does not indicate acceptance of his teachings. Jesus does not recognise informal and mere external relationships as sufficient for entrance into the kingdom of heaven. What he expects is that disciples follow him on the road to crucifixion and resurrection.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he will say, \u2018I tell you, I do not know where you come from<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus repeats a second time that he does not know these persons because the sharing was neither personal nor intimate.<\/p>\n

\u201cdepart from me, all you workers of iniquity!<\/em>\u2019\u201d \u2014 \u201cWorkers of iniquity<\/em>\u201d are those who had the opportunity to do God\u2019s will but did not for one deliberate reason or the other. The choice was theirs. They will be asked to depart from him. Where they are to go will be explained in the following verse.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

28 There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThere you will weep and gnash your teeth<\/em>\u201d \u2014 They will be filled with grief and rage, a biblical description of what takes place in hell where they never expected to go but now have to endure eternal suffering and frustration.<\/p>\n

\u201cwhen you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out<\/em>\u201d \u2014 They will see heaven and its occupants, the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the prophets. They will be excluded.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

29 And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus continues. He says that many will come from Gentile or non\u2013Jewish areas throughout the world and share in the joy and happiness of heaven. He has come to offer universal salvation, to all peoples. No one may presume that salvation is exclusive for some races or peoples such as the Jews.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.\u201d <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

30 And behold<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus calls on his listeners to \u201cbehold<\/em>\u201d, that is notice an important truth.<\/p>\n

\u201csome are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last<\/em>.\u201d \u2014 This was a proverb which in this context means that those who feel themselves excluded (\u201clast<\/em>\u201d) will be included (\u201cfirst<\/em>\u201d) and those who presumed they were included (\u201cfirst<\/em>\u201d) will be excluded from the kingdom (\u201clast<\/em>\u201d). In the context the application of the meaning is that the Gentiles (\u201cthe last<\/em>\u201d called) will be admitted; the Jews (\u201cthe first<\/em>\u201d called) will be excluded. There is no such thing as automatic salvation or membership in the kingdom of God based on birth, race or other presumptions. Membership is an offer that demands a commitment which is not something casual but requires effort.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

APPLICATION<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jesus<\/strong><\/p>\n

This Gospel reading tells us three things about Jesus. The first is that he was always fully focussed on Jerusalem, the place of his crucifixion, as his destination. He never lost sight of that goal and Luke wished to emphasise this by repeating that Jesus was on his way to that city. He actually built his gospel chapters 9 (v. 51) to 19 around this journey. In view of the contents of this present passage, what a brilliant example of how those of us accompanying Jesus must keep the same focus in life on the Paschal Mystery (the death and resurrection of Jesus) in which as his followers and disciples we take a real and active part.<\/p>\n

The second point we are taught about Jesus is that on this journey, his way, he was a missionary with a teaching role. He knew how confused his apostles were because of the culture of the Judaism of their day. They were completely off track when it came to understanding the role of the Messiah which they saw, not as a spiritual but as a political role. They expected the Messiah to bring them political power and freedom. Even though they witnessed the miracles and heard the instructions, they were intellectually blind to what Jesus was saying and doing. They were ignorant of the shortcomings and prejudices of Judaism of the time. Because of this Jesus had to devote so much of his ministry to instructing them, knowing that only with the coming of the Holy Spirit after his resurrection and ascension would they remember and understand. A careful reading of this section devoted to the journey to Jerusalem shows how Jesus was so engaged in instructing the apostles and disciple. The Holy Spirit would remind them of what he taught and in good time they themselves would become \u2018teaching missionaries\u2019. A very timely thought for all of us.<\/p>\n

The third point made by Jesus came in answer to a question. Someone asked how many would be saved. Jesus pointed out that this was a \u2018non\u2013question\u2019. The person should not have asked \u201chow many?\u201d but \u201cwho<\/em> will be saved?\u201d Jesus gave the answer to this appropriate question. He pointed out that salvation is not easy and smooth. It is a challenge. While it is God\u2019s gift it requires effort and struggle on the part of the one who wishes to be saved to fully accept the gift and its implications. Jesus gives an example of going through the narrow gates and doors that gave access to cities of the time. There were big gates which were not always open. The doors were not open all the time either but they were so important. People found it worthwhile to make the effort to enter by them, one at a time. In this instruction Jesus shows himself as not being a \u2018push\u2013over\u2019 or easy walk\u2013over. He lets us know that not all, even those who go to Holy Communion and talk a lot about religion can be sure of salvation. That could be mere routine. Jesus offers salvation but he insists that if one wants to be saved that person has to show that salvation is something he\/she prizes and is prepared to work for. It has to be undertaken as a way of life because it leads to eternal life, indeed the only door to eternal life. Jesus has been compared to a \u201cdoor\u201d, here a \u201cnarrow door\u201d, a door that is open only to those who make an effort. Salvation comes when one accepts Jesus and his way of life and begins to really follow. There is the answer to Jesus\u2019 question \u2014 those who make the effort required by Jesus and \u201cstrive<\/em>\u201d to follow his way of life will be saved.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

LUKE 13: 22\u201330 Ordinary Time Sunday 21C TEXT Jesus on journey to Jerusalem 22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. How many will be saved? 23 And some one said to him, \u201cLord, will those who are saved be few?\u201d And he said to them, 24 \u201cStrive<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-346","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=346"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":646,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346\/revisions\/646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}