21st Sunday in Ordinary Time –
A Reflection by Fr. Leo
One thing I have noticed about people who are good at what they do, be they artists, mechanics, or athletes, they have a deep passion about what they do. They seem to sleep, eat and breathe their passion. It is a good thing, and thank God we all have different passions, so that we can help others with our passions, as others help us with theirs.
In Luke’s gospel today, Jesus teaches us to have a passion for seeking God. An echo of the passage last Sunday when Jesus said he wanted to light a fire on the earth and how he wished it was already burning. Words of great passion for the living spirit to be active among us.
The key phrase in today’s gospel about the spiritual life is, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” Jesus says this in response to the question of how many would be saved. Many will try to enter but they think the way requires no personal dedication.
Jesus warns that, just because you think you know me and saw me in your synagogues, and on your streets, doesn’t mean you really know me. Only those who have a passion for striving after the spirit will enter. It is not our religious practice, but our sincerity of desire, our passion to become one with God that will make a difference.
Let us pray then, for the passion to strive to enter through the narrow gate, which is very passable with personal dedication. Entering the Kingdom isn’t so hard. We just have to want to!