Hearing The Word

A weekly newsletter delivering context and insight into the Sunday Gospels.

The Narrow Door of Discipleship

~ Rev. Andrew J. Auletta

Parochial Vicar, Saint Joseph Parish + Downingtown, Pa.

One of the central themes in the Gospel of Luke, and also in the Acts of the Apostles, is the reconciliation of all gentiles to God through the mission of the Messiah. When asked, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” (Luke 13:23), Jesus does not offer a numerical or statistical answer. Instead, He speaks of the effort required to enter the Kingdom of God. This effort involves genuine conversion and a consistent striving to do the will of the Lord.

One of the most striking moments in this passage comes at the end, when Jesus tells the people that individuals from the north, south, east, and west will recline at the table in the Kingdom of Heaven, while some of those who assumed they belonged there will find themselves cast out. This was a radical and unsettling message that challenged the socio-religious paradigm of the time. Many Jewish people believed that, by virtue of their heritage alone, they were guaranteed a place in God’s Kingdom once the Messiah came.

Jesus warns against relying solely on association or identity. We are not assured of salvation simply because we belong to a certain group or have superficial demonstrations of faith. The image of foreigners seated with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would have deeply unsettled Jesus’ followers at the time, but it powerfully illustrates His message, that salvation is offered to all.

We must strive to live according to God’s commandments. True conversion is personal, and what makes us worthy to enter the Kingdom is not our lineage or status, but a humble and contrite heart. To be a disciple of Jesus is to be wholly committed to reforming one’s life and sincerely seeking Him above all else

How Narrow is the Gate?



~ Anonymous

If I were a Bible scholar, I’d surely know some context for the “narrow gate.” What behaviors, exactly, allow entry?  What does “strong enough” to enter mean?  On the other hand, what would make me ostracized as “an evildoer destined for wailing and grinding of teeth?” 

Granted, there are other seemingly harsh gospels.  Like them, this one depicts Jesus as a huge departure from the Jesus I have come to know – the God who heals, who encourages, who shares burdens and joys.  I find the whole of it alarming, like, am I getting it all wrong and don’t know it?

What laymen’s wisdom did jump out at me with respect to the narrow gate is that, in the big picture it may be elusive and vague.  In the moment, it might be more evident and doable and maybe even what we’re aiming for already, however imperfectly. 

So that, whatever choices I need to make today – even right now – I try to choose the ones that align with my relationship with God. Honestly, it might come down to something as basic as, “Do I need more rest, or should I just get up and get moving?” or, “This conflict I’m in is getting destructive.  How can I make it less so?”

When in doubt or unclear on something complex, I think it’s worth giving the whole thing to the Holy Spirit and asking for the best.

I hope this isn’t just me trying to find a way to let myself off the hook when faced with a big warning such as that given in this gospel. But in the end, despite its harshness, the gospel does open with Jesus saying not to perfect things but to strive.