MEDITATION/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 30TH WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II

Homily for Wednesday of the 30th week in the Ordinary Time

Ephesians 6:1-9; Luke 13:22-30

In today's Gospel, someone said to Jesus, "Lord will those who are saved be few?" (Luke 13:23). Jesus does not give a direct answer to the question. Knowing the number of those that will be saved is not important what is important is how one can be saved. On how one can be saved, Jesus said, "Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able" (Luke 13:23). To be saved one must make every possible effort. Salvation is never automatic but it is the result and reward for our struggles which is blessed through God's grace. Thus, we must keep on striving if we must be saved.

To be saved is worth striving for. In striving, we must exert ourselves to the full, we must strain every nerve, we must struggle with the devil and our sinful nature.

St. Paul in the First Reading teaches us on what needs to be done in entering through the narrow door. To children,  they must obey their parents in the Lord (Eph.6:1). To fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Service must be rendered with a good will as to the Lord and not to human beings, knowing that whatever good one does, is done for the Lord. Our service must not be to please people. Service rendered to please God is always a good means in striving to enter heaven through the narrow door.

May God count us worthy to be saved with Him in heaven through Christ our Lord.