21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C, Year I)
Community Word: Following Jesus is seeking what is above.
Theme: We seek what is above when we strive to endure our trials with discipline.
Promise: “… all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.” (Hb 12:11)
Reflection:
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?” The person who asked Jesus this question must have wanted to find out whether he was going to be among those who will be saved.
To be sure, this is the same question that frequently crosses our minds, no matter how long, or how faithfully we have been serving the Community. Frequently, we’re not sure we’re good enough to qualify. Years of membership in BLD, or even holding a key position in leadership is no guarantee that we will be among the few who will be saved. What does it really take for us to enter the Kingdom of heaven? How do we enter the narrow gate and what kind of strength do we need to meet the challenge? In our 2nd reading, St. Paul exhorts the Hebrews “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him, for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines…endure your trials as ‘discipline’…,” (Hebrews 12: 5-7). Obviously, this is one of the answers to the question posed earlier – a lifetime of discipline amidst many trials. This is our theme for the week: We seek what is above when we strive to endure our trials with discipline.
With this theme, we appreciate even more the blessings of belonging to a community that is never remiss in instilling discipline to its members. At Bukas Loob Sa Diyos we receive continuous teachings, are exhorted and encouraged to pray ceaselessly and tirelessly; receive the holy sacraments frequently, especially the Holy Eucharist and the sacrament of Reconciliation; faithfully attend Corporate Worship and Word Sharing Circles (WSC); learn the virtue of obedience to ecclesial and pastoral authority; actively participate in mission work; minister to our neighbors and practice tithing in obedience to God’s word.
Doing all these, and more, is not easy and could be painful or inconvenient. But these are in fact the 5 and 8 pledges that we sign when we become Committed and Covenanted Disciples, respectively. On our own, we are likely to falter and fail, but by God’s grace, we gain the strength we need to attain victory. St. Paul reminds the Hebrews, “So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet…,” (Hebrews 12:12).
But fulfilling our discipleship pledges alone is not a guarantee of our ticket to heaven. Being a Committed or Covenanted Disciple is not an assurance of everlasting life. A disciple may routinely abide by them but fail to internalize them in his/her heart and in practice. The narrow door demands a life of detachment from worldly concerns, and exacts obedience, perseverance and hard work. After many years of serving the Lord in BLD, isn’t it a terrifying thought to hear the Lord say, “I do not know where you are from…” when the time finally comes?
We have to walk through that narrow door each day of our life. And we all know that the “narrow door” is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ who declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me,” (John 14:6). The door is narrow because it doesn’t allow us to bring along our worldly baggage – not our material possessions, nor our accomplishments, status, or wealth.
When death finally comes, we cannot ask the Lord to give us a second chance to go through that narrow door again. We recall the story of the beggar Lazarus and the rich man, who asked to be allowed to warn his brothers. Our Lord’s reply was, “…. between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us,” (Luke 16:26). Death is final. The time to act is now, while that narrow door remains open. Let’s act before it’s too late to claim His promise, “… all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it,” (Heb 12:11).
Mother Teresa puts it aptly, “At the end of our lives, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by how we have responded to – ‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.’” This is what the narrow door is all about.
Prayer:
Lord, why is it so difficult to follow you? Everyday is a struggle against our own flesh. There are many alluring temptations in this world that are hard to resist. Our bodies are weak and we become easy prey to the deceptions of the evil one. Help us to leave behind our pride, worldly possessions and accomplishments that we may enter that narrow door. While we have the time, grant us the grace to strive hard and run the race to eternal salvation. Thank you for your faithfulness that gives us the strength and discipline to obey Your holy Will. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray.
Reflection Questions:
1. What temptation do you consider most difficult to resist? What is the best way for you to overcome it?
2. What discipleship pledges help you the most in negotiating that narrow door?
Are you going to renew your commitment or your covenant today and every day of your life?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
August 25, 2013 (Sun) Is 66:18-21/Ps 117:1,2/Heb 12:5-7,11-13/Lk 13:22-30
August 26, 2013 (Mon) 1Thes 1:1-5,8-10/Ps 149:1-6,9/Mt 23:13-22
August 27, 2013 (Tues) 1Thes 21-8/Ps 139:1-6/Mt 23:23-26
August 28, 2013 (Wed) 1Thes 2:9-13/Ps 139:7-12/Mt 23:27-32
August 29, 2013 (Thur) Jer 1:17-19/Ps 71:1-6,15,17/Mk 6:17-29
August 30, 2013 (Fri) 1Thes 4:1-8/Ps 97:1,2,5,6,10-12?Mt 25:1-13
August 31, 2013 (Sat) 1Thes 4:9-11/Ps 98:1,7-9/Mt 25:14-30
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
