The Reason Why Few Are Saved...

[fons_vitae]

Are "few saved" because comparatively few throughout history bother to "strive to enter" into God's Kingdom? Are those unable to enter those knocking at the door after it's too late (i.e., not repenting before death, rather than just being "too weak") ?

 

I know there are a likely a thousand other threads on this subject, so please bear with me. :)

[Era Might]

I was struck this Sunday by the phrase "I do not know you" in the context of the narrow gate:

 

 

 

Someone asked him,

“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”

He answered them,

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough. 
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.
And you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Then he will say to you,
‘I do not know where you are from. 

Depart from me, all you evildoers!’

 

The idea of being told by the Lord he does not know you is quite different from the idea of a generic divine judge. Remember also that Jesus says he himself is "the Way." The hard and narrow road is Christ himself, to know him, to recognize him in the poor, to seek his face here and now, so that when we die we already know him. The hard and narrow road is not about being a superman and a doer of works (as the person who asked Christ in this reading assumes) but about seeking friendship with Christ.

 

Edited August 27, 2013 by Era Might

[Semper Catholic]

Eh, I'd rather go to the divebar across the street then wait in line to be judged by the obnoxious door guy, usually more fun anyway.

[add]

 Jesus is the "gateway to salvation", that allows us to enter into "the family of God", into "the warmth of the house" of the Lord. And this gate is never closed: "it is always open and open to everyone, without distinction, without exclusions, without privileges".

 

But it is nonetheless a "narrow gate" because it calls us "to open our heart to Jesus ...

Edited August 27, 2013 by add