Faith Daily | 26 October 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p593

Almighty and everlasting God,

give to us the increase of faith, hope and love;

and, that we may obtain what you promise,

make us to love what you command;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 13: 22-30

22Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.

23Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He said to them, 24“Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. 25When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then in reply he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27But he will say, ‘I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. 29Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. 30Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Anne Macronald

At first this reading seems harsh to those who ate and drank with Jesus as he taught on the streets. But clearly he was announcing that familiarity is no guarantee that we have the automatic right to enter Gods kingdom. He teaches that we should not only hear the Word of God but keep it.

The only way we can be confident that Gods word is being put into practice is to reflect our responses to the challenging teachings like “love your enemies.”

In this world of ours there are those who are privileged and feel they have more rights than those who are not. In the time of Jesus these people felt they had the inside track . But Jesus was indicating more than that . His way was open to all people of good will.

Will only a few be saved? Jesus did not find the question worthy of an answer but spoke of more relevant issues like the need to choose well. So much energy is wasted in the Church arguing about irrelevant questions while we neglect what is central and important.

I pray for the Church to keep its attention on the teachings of Jesus and avoid all temptations to indulge in empty discussions.

Knowing Jesus and having a good relationship with him is at the heart of our faith.

FINAL PRAYER

Lord help us know you better, to be more in tune with your message, so that we live as your friends and companions.

Amen.