Word to the Wise
Wednesday, October 26, 2016 - Wednesday in the 30th Week in Ordinary Time
[Eph 6:1-9 and Luke 13:22-30]"For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." [Luke]
In the background of today's gospel scripture is the fate of Jerusalem. By the time Luke composed his gospel, Jerusalem was in ruins after the Jewish rebellion against Roman rule [66-70 AD]. The Luke's gospel portrays Jesus' ministry as one long journey to Jerusalem, which would reject him. The passage today is a warning to the disciples that they should not gloat over the loss of Jerusalem, but continue to "strive to enter through the narrow gate.."
Discipleship requires effort. Jesus rejects the notion of family connections or acquaintance as being of value in having a place at "table in the Kingdom of God." It will not be what one knows or whom one knows, but rather whether or not one has heard the word of God and put it into action. People who think they have an "in" of the sort we think of in today's social or political world will find themselves outside the kingdom. They will be the "first to be last."
Jerusalem becomes more than a city and temple destroyed by the Romans. It becomes a symbol of wrongful pride or smug assurance which turned out to be little protection against the Romans. Luke's community was under persecution of its own. Only those who remain faithful to Jesus' teachings will enter the Kingdom. The question asked in today's gospel, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" is answered only by those who are faithful disciples. AMEN
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