Are You Saved?

 “Lord, will only a few be saved?”

  

What a question we heard yesterday at Mass, from the Gospel of Luke (13:22-30). It is asked by “someone,” the Gospel says, as Jesus is passing through the towns and villages on his way to Jerusalem. In other words, it is a question that probably all his listeners had on their minds – and us, as well.

  

Notice how impersonal the form of the question is, yet how personal the intent. We all want to know – will I be saved? Yet we usually think in terms of the other guy, or humanity. Look at him or her – boy, I’m better than they are. Look at the world with war and hatred and envy. They’re all going to hell – how can they all be saved?

  

But Jesus is not concerned with generalities. He is concerned with you and me as individuals. Look at his reply to that “someone” who wants a global sort of answer to the question of salvation.

  

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.”

  

Salvation is personal. The questioner speaks in general terms, yet Jesus answers him directly, as if to say – never mind about all the others, you strive to enter through the narrow gate. Whether there are few or many depends on how you (and you and you and you) live your life. Still, Jesus does mention the "many" who will attempt to enter and be unable. We don't know how many, but we know that some (maybe "someone") will not make it.

  

Salvation is personal, yet it is also in some way communal. We all are individuals striving for that narrow gate – yet we are all in this together, and can help or hinder one another.

  

It is easy, as the Gospel is read, to stand with that “someone” and wonder, as we look at others at church (those whom we know we are better than) – “Will only a few be saved?” Yet somehow, we are all in this together. Rather than asking if others can possibly be saved, we should be asking: How have I been treating my wife? Have I made enough time for my children? Should I be the one to respond to the request for volunteers in the parish bulletin? Should I take a few moments to talk after Mass to the man who lost his job, or lost his wife, or looks depressed? And how about that family I used to be friends with, but then we had a falling out – what was it about again? – should I take a moment just to say hello and “good to see you”?

  

In all this issues, there is a wide and easy path, or the narrow gate that God calls me toward. Somehow, we are all in this together.