Here’s a simple, personal question for you today. Are you always in the wrong checkout line at your local Kroger store or supermarket? I am. Yes, I think I’ve beaten the odds by getting in the line with only two customers in front of me. But it turns out, the first one has a huge envelope of coupons to be redeemed. And when it comes time to pay, they can’t find their checkbook and so they try to find a usable credit card.
And the second customer, right in front of me, decides they have the wrong brand of frozen corn and need to have the bagger exchange it for them. Of course the bagger also has to go back a second time, to find out the price of a package of hamburg, since the one being purchased doesn’t have a sticker on it. Fortunately they’re paying in cash; but the young cashier is confused by the amount of change to be given back to the customer.
Meanwhile the lines at three other checkouts have moved on, leaving me to debate whether it’s worthwhile to get into another line or tough it out in the current one. All of this gives new meaning to the final statement in today’s gospel: “For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” But Jesus did not have checkout lines in mind when he said this. No. He was responding to a more important question: “Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
The questioner probably had something else in mind but was afraid to ask. The real question is: “Lord, am I going to be saved?” But that is a fearful question. The one about numbers is a much safer one to ask. No doubt, the questioner expected an answer such as: “Everyone who follows me will be saved.”
But instead of answering straight-away, Jesus, as usual, presented several strange statements. He said: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” And he goes on to say that when another knocks on the master’s door, demanding: “Lord, open the door for us,” the master replies: “I do not know where you are from.”
“I do not know where you are from.” Jesus says it twice. Even when the one knocking at the door reminds Jesus: “We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.” The Master replies: “I do not know where you are from.” Is he saying that it is not enough for his followers only to partake of the good things offered to them: the eating and drinking with his companions, the listening to him as he wanders through their villages? Are these so called “good time” events not enough to be saved? Is there more to being in the kingdom of heaven, the reign of God, than merely being present?
Saint Paul seems to think so. In his letter to the Hebrews we heard a few minutes ago, Saint Paul speaks of “discipline.” He speaks of enduring one’s trials as “discipline.” At the time, discipline, may not be a “cause for joy,” he says; but rather a cause of “pain.” He goes on to say: “Yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.”
“Trained by it.” What could he mean by that? For one thing, Paul, it seems, was deeply into athletics. He often spoke of racing, of running and winning a crown of laurel leaves. And he knew that such efforts demand training, demand following a regimen, a routine. It requires daily practice. And that is what “discipline” is all about. Discipline and discipleship are one and the same. Discipleship is following the Master, doing what the Master does. It is learning by observation and by daily practice. Discipline, truly understood, is not punishment. Rather, it is following the actions of a dedicated coach, an accomplished master.
Jesus was such a coach, a dedicated master. Jesus invited his own disciples to “come and see,” “come follow me.” He urged them to observe his actions and to do what he did. He wanted them to listen and to teach others what he had taught them.
Great athletes follow a strict discipline. Great musicians and great artists follow strict disciplines. It would seem that those who aspire to be “great Christians” also need to follow a strict discipline. A discipline, a discipleship, a following of our Master, Jesus the Christ.
This weekend we are once again, presented with an opportunity to join in the discipline, the discipleship of Christ. Following this Eucharist Celebration, each of us is urged to go to the Large Hall and learn more about the many ministries available at Christ the Good Shepherd. We are urged to give of our time, talent and treasure. We are encouraged to continue to be good stewards of the gifts God has given to each one of us.
In our first reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah we heard the words: “Thus says the Lord: I know their works and their thoughts, and I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory.” And we heard how the Lord God sent them out to foreign lands, where “they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.” As a result, “brothers and sisters from all the nations” will journey to Jerusalem.
No doubt Jesus was recalling to the mind of his own followers this image from Isaiah when he said in today’s gospel reading: “And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.”
Yes, it is true that none of us know how many will be saved. We do not know who will be included or excluded at the table of the final banquet. Relying on God’s mercy we hope that there will be multitudes and that each of us will be among them. In the meantime, we are encouraged to go beyond being merely a passive “hanger on” who merely enjoys eating and drinking and listening to Jesus the Christ. We are to know where we are from. We are to know what we must do in order to be a true disciple of Christ.
In a few minutes we will again eat of his flesh and drink of his blood. In doing so, we become active members of his body. Once more we are sent forth to proclaim his good news so that others may join with us in our journey. Once more we are urged to stand in line, not at a checkout in a grocery store, but rather to stand with our fellow Christians around those tables in the Large Hall where we can decide how we can join in the discipline, the discipleship, he demands of us. Someday, may he say to each one of us: “Indeed, I DO know where you are from. Join with me at the heavenly banquet of my Father.”
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time; August 26, 2007
Is 66:18-21; Heb 12:5-7, 11-13; Lk 13:22-30