21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
24th August 2025
Lectionary Readings: Is 66:18-21; Ps. 117:1, 2; Heb 12:5-7,11-13; Lk 13:22-30
Theme: Storm door: Salvation and Rejection (Lk 13:24)
Asnamon voyanazar!!! In the series I watched, ‘Sangre Chronicles,’ the phrase “Asnamon voyanazar,” meaning “open sesame” in a foreign language, is used to open a magical door or portal on the Asnamon Tree, granting access to another Realm (Kingdom). This dramatic moment makes me wish that entering the Kingdom of God could be as simple as speaking a special word or playing an instrument. However, our current Sunday Gospel reading shows this is not the case. Jesus, through His parables about the kingdom (cf. Lk 13:18-21 CSB p1464-1465 and NAB p124; CPB p1649-1650), makes it clear that great effort is necessary to enter the Kingdom (cf. Lk 13:24 CSB p1465), and He warns us that the opportunity to enter a narrow door will not remain open forever (cf. Lk 13:25 CSB p1465).
Before exploring this further, let us consider how the readings connect. Isaiah 66, which concludes the Book of Isaiah, portrays Israel’s restoration and future glory, while also addressing judgment and redemption. In these final verses, Isaiah highlights God’s understanding of humanity and the eventual gathering of people from all nations. (cf. Is 66:18-21, CSB p1071).The primary message of this verse is God’s deep knowledge of our thoughts and actions, paired with His universal invitation to all nations to witness His glory. Despite Israel’s challenges, God assures the people He has a plan, providing hope during trials. This assurance of God’s awareness and understanding of our struggles, motivates us to trust Him. (Ibid). Isaiah 66:18 emphasizes that nothing is hidden from God; He comprehends not just what we do, but why we do it, offering comfort to those who feel overlooked. The verse also presents God’s intent to gather people of all nations, underscoring the inclusiveness of His salvation. Understanding this moves us to reach out and share God’s love with others, knowing all are invited to experience His glory. Two key ideas stand out: God’s awareness of both our deeds and motives, prompting accountability and sincerity; and His vision of uniting diverse peoples, inspiring us to foster unity and embrace diversity as we live out our faith and interact with others. (Ibid). Isaiah 66:18 reveals that God is Omniscient; He knows our actions and intentions. This truth assures us we can approach Him honestly, free from pretense. Understanding that God knows our hearts, helps us build authentic relationships with Him and others, even as we face insecurities and the fear of judgment. This verse also calls us to intentionally share God’s glory with all nations, making evangelism through words, actions, and daily living our ongoing mission. (Ibid). Isaiah 66:18 further reminds us to embrace diversity among nations. By appreciating different backgrounds and cultures, we better reflect God’s character, learn from others, and enrich our communities.
Asnamon voyanazar!!!
I’d love for you to take a moment to reflect on Isaiah 66:18 and its related New Testament verses (like cf. John 12:32 CSB p. 1511; Matthew 28:19 p. 1399; Matthew 5:14 p. 1343; Romans 10:12 p. 1592; and Revelation 5:9 p. 1759-1760). This verse is such a beautiful reminder of God’s awareness and the unity of all nations. It encourages us to be open and honest before Him, while living out our faith with purpose.
We’re all called to share His love with everyone and celebrate the incredible diversity of His creation. Let’s embrace our mission to shine His glory across the world by having meaningful conversations, being active in our communities; and reaching out with genuine love. Exploring related verses or topics like how to lead others to God or how to accept those around us, helps deepen our understanding of His love and glory. Let’s embark on this journey together!
Psalm 117 emerges as a perfect hymn of praise. Its rich simplicity it resonates with a powerful message: God’s unwavering love for His people, Israel, an enduring theme in the Hebrew Scriptures, is now beautifully extended to all nations.
Hebrews 12:5-6 reminds us, Καὶ ἐκλέλησθε κ.τ.λ. “And have ye forgotten” – Which speaketh unto you. Better, which holds converse (or, reasoneth) with you as with (children): highlighting God’s intimate dialogue with His children. The verses draw from Proverbs 3:11-12, echoing the words of the Septuagint (LXX), except that for “son” we have “my son,” and for “reproveth” (Ibid. Hebrews 12:6) “chasteneth.” This reflects God’s loving guidance. Originally spoken by Solomon, the exhortation here transforms into a direct message from God to His sons, emphasizing His fatherly love and profound care. (cf Ps 117 CSB p814; Heb 12:5-7, 11-13, CSB p1718; Proverbs 3:11-12 CSB p839)
Now we see the remarkable interconnection of the readings and the profound invitation of the Gospel. Gates in the Bible symbolize seats of authority (cf. Ruth 4:11 CSB p301). Wisdom resounds at the gates (cf. Proverbs 1:21 CSB p837), where judges and officers uphold justice (cf. Deuteronomy 16:18 CSB p244) and councils of state come together (cf. 2 Chronicles 18:9 CSB p525). Entrance into heaven hinges on the qualities of those who will be saved rather than their number. This teaching reveals that while the kingdom of God is accessible, the path to it is narrow and demanding, requiring our conscious effort. The metaphor of a narrow door illustrates that many believing they are on the right path may find themselves excluded when the door closes.
To pass through this narrow door, we must shed our pretenses and release the burdens that weigh us down. Jesus invites us to take on His yoke, saying, “Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble in heart; my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” God reminds us that we must place our trust in Jesus Christ to unite our souls with Him and stand before Him.
In Luke 13:22-30, we find the parable about entering the kingdom of God (v. 29). The word “strive” comes from the Greek ἀγωνίζομαι (agōnizomai) or “agoonizesthe,” from which we derive “agonize,” meaning to exert oneself vigorously. Jesus spoke to Jews poised to enter the Kingdom of God (verse 24). What is the spiritual meaning of the narrow gate? The “narrow gate” or “Storm gate” represents a straightforward yet profound concept. It is more challenging to pass through a narrow gate than a wide one, and only a few can do so at once. Jesus shows us that the pathway to true, eternal life requires effort and unwavering focus to enter. The main lesson from this passage is a heartfelt reminder of the importance of seeking salvation and entering God’s kingdom. It can be overwhelming to think about the deadlines we face in making such important decisions; it’s easy to feel like there’s always more time. Yet, this passage encourages us to actively pursue salvation with sincere faith and to align our lives with the teachings of Jesus.
It is important to recognize that salvation is not determined by factors like family background, religious heritage, or social status. We each have our unique paths and struggles, and following Jesus is a personal journey regardless of our past or present circumstances. Rather than focusing on our achievements, we can find comfort in relying on God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
I truly hope that Luke 13:22-30 serves as a gentle wake-up call to all of us to take our salvation seriously. It reminds us that simply admiring Jesus or witnessing his miracles isn’t enough; we must strive to enter through the narrow door and make Jesus the true Lord of our lives. You are not alone in this journey, and we can support each other in our pursuit of faith and salvation.
For Reflection and Discussion:
1. Who is God for you? Do you see Him as someone who welcomes the outcast and brings together people from all nations and languages? I’m curious to know how your view of God has evolved over the years through your prayers and reading the Bible. How does Jesus represent the way, the truth, and the life in your life?
Bibliography: Donald Senior, ET Al; The Catholic Study Bible 3rd Edition 2010; The New American Bible, Saint Joseph Edition 2011;The Catholic Prayer Bible 1993; Brown R.E; An Introduction to the New Testament 1997 p248;Liddell & Scott’s: Greek-English Lexicon 1889;
This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by
Dunhill Malunar Timkang, Jerusalem – Israel, Bat Kol Secretary
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