One of my favorite Flannery O'Connor short stories is Revelation. The story's main character, Ruby Turpin, is a smug, opinionated, self-righteous woman who appears to know exactly who she is and her place in the universe - above just about everyone else. After all, she owns a house and land and hogs. What more could a person want? For all that she has and for what she is, Ruby Turpin is grateful. She thanks Jesus "for making everything the way it is." She knows, with all her heart, mind and soul that she is one of the saved and her place in heaven is assured. However, after an unsettling incident in a doctor's waiting room, Ruby's confidence is broken. She goes home and has a serious conversation with God, asking, "Who do you think you are"? God answers by giving Ruby a vision of souls on their way to heaven. All the folks Ruby knew should be at the end of the line, the poor people, the sharecroppers and the household help were leaping and clapping at the front of the line while Ruby, her husband and all their "proper" friends were back in the rear with shocked looks on their faces. Poor Ruby discovered that she was no more special and no more saved than anyone else.
The person in today's gospel, Luke 13:22-30, who asked Jesus, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" is a bit like our Ruby Turpin. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, believed that they were the chosen people. They had a special covenant with God, inheriting their right to stand at the head of the line into God's kingdom. So if the person asking Jesus the question was expecting a resounding yes, he or she must have been very disappointed. Jesus did not give a direct answer. Instead, he told two parables describing how difficult it is to get into the kingdom. Having the right DNA is not enough. Getting into the kingdom requires hard work. Many will not be strong enough to enter the narrow gate. Procrastination isn't a good idea either because those who malinger will be left out in the cold "wailing and grinding" their teeth. The people who "will recline at table in the kingdom of God" will be foreigners and Gentiles, the people who heard Jesus' good news message and responded.
God wants everyone to be saved. All we have to do is love God, keep the commandments and love our neighbors as ourselves. God has a place at his table for all of us, but don't be late.
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
