Meditation for the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
(Is 66:18-21; Heb 12:5-7, 11-13; Lk 13:22-30)
Freedom without responsibility is destructive; growth and
progress without going through a process is deceptive. Still, these are some of
our greatest temptations, and a trap for young minds.
In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah announced that God
would gather all the nations and tongues to see His glory. His message was exalting
and ceremonial, for he said that all nations will gather as an offering to the
Lord, like cereal offering in a clean vessel to the house of the Lord. From the
gospel, we understand that those that will be gathered to see the glory of God
are the redeemed, they shall come from every corner of the earth. So, the real question
is: what must I do to be counted among those that will behold the glory of God?
Jesus said, “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will
seek to enter and will not be able.” And once this great opportunity is lost,
it cannot be reversed.
The second reading makes us to understand that the narrow
door that leads to the joy of the Kingdom of God is ‘discipline.’ It says, “My
son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when
you are punished by Him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and
chastises every son whom He receives.” Thus, discipline is an act of love, and
a training for success. An easy and undisciplined life ends in pain and agony. “For
the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the
peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” That is
why the branches of the True Vine are pruned by the Father so that they can
bear more fruit (Jn 15:2).
Meditate on the narrow door of discipline that puts
restrictions to our movements, and does not allow everything to pass through! We
easily gather many baggage of emotions, thoughts and behavior. Discipline is
the ‘door’ we must fix on our hearts and minds so as not to allow everything to
enter in, and to restrict the wanderings of our hearts and minds. This is how
we can know true freedom, and achieve sustainable growth in progress in every
aspect of our lives.
Above all, discipline makes us strong and to persevere in
our endeavors, commitment, and our journey towards the Kingdom of God. It brings
healing, “So that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be
healed.” It is by discipline that we can correct our errors and retrace our
steps. Yes, when we walk through the narrow door of discipline, we learn to
carry our cross, and draw strength and victory from the Cross of Jesus. The
door of blessedness will not be shut behind us, rather, the gate of Heaven shall
be opened for us; we shall enter in and dine at the table in the Kingdom of
God. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi, Lagos.
Sunday August 21st, 2022.
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