Geeky Catholic Sunday: Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel Reading: Luke 13:22-30
Highlight: "Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.'"
Reflection: This week presents another difficult gospel passage. Jesus is asked if only a few people will be saved, and his response seems to indicate that most people will not go to heaven. That contrasts sharply with the modern idea that most people are "good people" with good intentions, and that all "good people" will go to heaven. But that's not Christ's teaching. In fact, Jesus goes so far as to say that there are people who think they will be saved, who will be in for a rude awakening after their deaths. So if being "good" isn't enough, then how can we be saved? Jesus extends the gift of salvation to us through a covenant relationship, just as God did with his chosen people in the Old Testament. For those of us who have heard the gospel, that means we need to do what Jesus told us to do. Become baptized. Receive the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Listen to the Church that he founded. And if we break that covenant relationship through grave sin, become reconciled to Christ and the Church through the Sacrament of Penance.
Geeky Quote: "No, thank you! We don't want any more visitors, well-wishers, or distant relations." - Bilbo, The Fellowship of the Ring (film)
Prayer: Jesus, I want to be with you forever. Keep me close to you, and forgive me when I go astray. Amen.
To get these short reflections every week, click the Subscribe button at the top of this page, or you can "Like" or "Follow" the GeekyCatholicDad Facebook page here.
Highlight: "Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.'"
Reflection: This week presents another difficult gospel passage. Jesus is asked if only a few people will be saved, and his response seems to indicate that most people will not go to heaven. That contrasts sharply with the modern idea that most people are "good people" with good intentions, and that all "good people" will go to heaven. But that's not Christ's teaching. In fact, Jesus goes so far as to say that there are people who think they will be saved, who will be in for a rude awakening after their deaths. So if being "good" isn't enough, then how can we be saved? Jesus extends the gift of salvation to us through a covenant relationship, just as God did with his chosen people in the Old Testament. For those of us who have heard the gospel, that means we need to do what Jesus told us to do. Become baptized. Receive the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Listen to the Church that he founded. And if we break that covenant relationship through grave sin, become reconciled to Christ and the Church through the Sacrament of Penance.
Geeky Quote: "No, thank you! We don't want any more visitors, well-wishers, or distant relations." - Bilbo, The Fellowship of the Ring (film)
Prayer: Jesus, I want to be with you forever. Keep me close to you, and forgive me when I go astray. Amen.
To get these short reflections every week, click the Subscribe button at the top of this page, or you can "Like" or "Follow" the GeekyCatholicDad Facebook page here.
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