During the course of his ministry several people asked Jesus about salvation: the rich young man in Matthew 19:16-23, the scholar of the law in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37) and the person in today’s gospel from Luke 13:22-30. Jesus’ answer is consistent, to be saved we must love God, keep the commandments and love our neighbors as ourselves. If we do all this and are still not sure, he says, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to (the) poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me" (Matt. 19:21).
What Jesus wants to make clear is that everyone can be saved. In fact, God our Father wants everyone on earth to be part of his kingdom as he says through his prophet in our first reading from Isaiah 66:18-21. The Kingdom of God is not an elite social club. Membership is not restricted by age, race, creed, gender education or wealth. However, there are obstacles to entry into the Kingdom. The primary obstacle to our salvation is us and our need to hold on to all our baggage. The gate to the Kingdom is narrow only if we try to carry everything we own (materially and emotionally) through it.
Is it possible for us to let go of absolutely everything to get into the Kingdom of God? Jesus answered this question for the disciples when they asked, “Who then can be saved? Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible" (Matt. 19: 23).
God our Father,
you have given us Jesus, your Son,
as the door through which we enter into your kingdom
Help us to listen to his voice and to follow him without reserve.
May our authentic Christian living bring goodness and joy to this world
and lead us to you, our saving God,
by the power of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
