Gospel Commentary: The Narrow Door

By Fr. John Riley
HERALD Columnist
(From the Issue of 8/23/01)

An open door is a symbol, a passage, an invitation to cross the threshold "from here to there." Doors closed, locked or bolted are obstacles — at times insurmountable, interrupting the journey from where we are to where we hope to be.

Jesus Christ, in this week’s Gospel, is blunt in His observation that many who arrive at the "gates of heaven" expecting an easy "in" will find the doors securely shut. Though many try to "explain away" the point of this parable, if we’re honest we must confront the possibility that one day we’ll find ourselves face-to-face with the only door that really matters. And the door may be closed …forever.

God’s mercy is infinite and relentless — "it endures forever" (PS 136). But no man can be forgiven against his own will. In order for mercy to save, like a life-preserver thrown to a man struggling in a stormy sea, it must first be freely embraced. A sinner must acknowledge his sins before he can turn back and be saved. The father of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15) did not journey to the foreign land, locate his son and drag him home by his right ear. He waited … patiently and lovingly, and when his son decided to return home, his father’s mercy was manifested in an embrace, a kiss, a new robe and a feast. But the Prodigal Son had to embark on the journey home freely … and so must we.

This week’s reading concludes with Jesus telling His listeners, "Some who are last will be first and some who are first will be last," (Lk 13:30). Chances are, those who are surprised to find themselves towards the "front of the line" will be those sinners — perhaps great sinners — who recognized their faults and failings, but had the good sense to strive for sanctity, make frequent use of the Sacrament of Penance and grow slowly and surely in God’s grace.

Perhaps the folks bringing up the rear — (assuming they make it that far) — will be those who were hailed as spiritual heroes, or others who considered themselves "basically good people," but never sought to be anything more. We are not called to mediocrity, we are called to sanctity.

It is obvious from the words of Jesus that there will be surprises on Judgment Day. We should pray that we’ll not be left outside with the "wailers and the grinders," but never discount the truth that is God’s justice, we are capable of putting ourselves there. His mercy is to be sought and embraced, but never taken for granted. The human mind and heart are capable of movements eternal in their consequences. By God’s loving grace, may we always seek to know the true and to love the good, that we may experience and embrace the beautiful — forever. Amen.

Fr. Riley is administrator of St. Louis Parish in Alexandria.

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