Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Who is saved? Jesus was asked if the saved will be many or a few. “You might be surprised,” Jesus responds. Don’t be too sure of yourself.

There is a door in today’s gospel story; it is open for some, and closed for others. Strangely, those who are the most confident of entering the house find themselves locked out. Others, from the North, South, East and West, total strangers, to me, are going through that door.

Me? no room for me! But why? How can this be? I am a good person; I obey the laws, pray, don’t make trouble. Yes, I am not perfect, make mistakes, sometimes say cruel things or put others down. All in all, I think I deserve entry.

Who are those who are getting in? I don’t know anything about them.

Or, is that the point? I could know them, but don’t. Am I acquainted with “other” people, those who are different from me, those who live down the street, in another part of the country? across the border? those who don’t look like me? who speak a different language, worship or dress in another way? Does it matter if I know them or care about them? Is that what is expected?

Maybe!

Saint Paul informs the Hebrews that God disciplines, that suffering is part of our training. We ask why God allows the heartbreaking pain and suffering we and too many others, endure. Is suffering and trauma a test, punishment? Are tornados God’s punishment for our sins? Is lack of care for the environment a sin? The idea that God punishes “evil doers,’” (usually they are those we dislike or disagree with), is quite consoling. But, again, be careful, because we hear that God is sorting, sifting, separating.

If not God, then who is responsible for violence, abuse, war? Do we blame those “other” people? Are we in some way responsible for suffering? Do others suffer and die because of my actions, words, or silence?

We also hear in today’s readings that God wishes our well-being, joy, peace and justice, that we be able to hold up limp arms and steady trembling knees, and God offers the possibility of a new heaven and a new earth, life lived to the fullest.