21st Sunday of Ordinary Time
Isaiah 66:18–21
Psalm 117:1, 2
Hebrews 12:5–7, 11–13
Luke 13:22–30
“Are you saved?” is a question posed in many religious discussions today. The concern expressed is whether a personal assent has been made to the offer of the gift of salvation. Catholics are often unsure how to respond.
Those who ask the question usually have several criteria in mind: There is a definite day and hour when one’s “acceptance of the Savior” has been expressed by one who is “old enough” to make such an assent for himself or herself. (Baptism as an infant is not enough.) There also must be a way of expression that shows that Jesus continues to be the “personal Lord and Savior.”
When I was a seminarian, I joined a permanent deacon in giving instructions at the home of a Baptist man who wanted to become Catholic. His Baptist wife, who didn’t wish to become Catholic, sat through the instructions with us.
She told us one day that she had told her Baptist minister about us and that she believed we were “saved,” even though we were Catholics. She must have seen in us the necessary acceptance and the joy of a living relationship with Jesus.
So, I answer, “Yes, I am saved” without wondering about it. I have the affirmation of a Baptist that it is so, and the deacon was a witness (as I am for him)!
A Catholic answer to the question, “Are you saved?” can be expressed this way: “I hope so!” This captures a nuance that is not present in the question and the expected answer.
Salvation is a process that must be renewed and deepened. We are saved by grace, the grace of the Paschal Mystery, the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus the Lord. We are given the gift of the Spirit that frees us to live in the hope of salvation through our journey of faith.
Each moment, we are invited to open our hearts more to the Savior, Who shares with us the divine life that will be ours fully only in eternity. We move from glory to glory and grow in holiness as we share the life of God.
In the Gospel today, someone asks Jesus a different question: “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” The Lord’s response is not a “yes” or “no.” Instead, He responds with a challenge: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” This is a personal encouragement to put in the effort to attain salvation. It leaves to God and His grace whether this will be accomplished.
The call clearly given by the Church today is to renew the effort to share salvation. The Responsorial Psalm cries out: “Go out to all the world and tell the good news.” We are charged not to measure whether we or many are “saved,” but rather to present the offer of salvation as good news.
When we focus our attention on sharing what we have received, we discover that every neighbor is a candidate for salvation. Our struggles and sufferings can be seen as sacrifice that opens up opportunities for witness. Pope Paul VI and others have reminded us that the world listens more to witnesses than to teachers.
Questions can be helpful, but they can also get in the way if we are too narrow in our expectations for an answer. When Jesus is seen as the author of salvation, we may choose to stop asking questions and rather to share how He has written the gift of salvation in the story of our lives.
How have you experienced salvation? Who needs to hear your story and be invited to share the joy?