TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, AUGUST 24, 2025

The final judgement. Art work in the old cathedral of Salamanca.

MASS READINGS

Gospel Luke 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.

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!'

And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out.

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.

For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

REFLECTION

 "Lord, open the door for us. 'He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from."

Can you imagine going through life thinking you are so good, you never sin, and salvation is guaranteed. Only to die, be face to face with God, and He says He doesn't know us, or where are we from?

That is called universalism. I have to admit many times I have fallen into it. First, because more times than I'd like to admit I think of myself as an infallible and guiltless person. It is only through a lot of self denial and thorough and constant examination of conscience that I can even look and recognize my sin and ask God for forgiveness especially through the sacrament of confession.

Second, for a while now I've been pondering what will happen when I am facing my personal judgement. What will God say to me? Will I be worthy to join Him in Heaven? Or will He tell me He doesn't know where I am from?

For a long time this has been a question and a worry in my mind. What could I do so Jesus does not reject me when I'm seeing His face?

I wasn't sure until I read the book I've mentioned before, The Letter to the Friends of the Cross, where I read the words of St. Louis de Montfort saying:

"There are many who pretend they are friends of mine and protest that they love me, but in their hearts they hate me. I have many friends of my table, but very few of my Cross."

If we really look at the Cross, it can be a daunting sight. Because deep down we know that as Jesus suffered on it for us, so we must "deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him" (Mt 16:24). He also tells us that: "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Lk 14:27)

Looking at the crucifix on my wall sometimes scares me but sometimes fills me with grief to have caused Jesus that pain. I need to keep praying to God, and ask for Our Mother's intercession to help me in self denial, embrace the crosses in my life, and persevere in following Jesus.

Pray with us the PAPA Prayer for Priests, so they can also persevere in their vocation.

God bless y'all!