Humility

21st Sunday Of Ordinary Time, Year C

As did the apostles, at times, we too find ourselves pondering whether many (or who) shall be “saved”. In this respect, the theme of salvation may sometimes make us feel on-edge and even confused. The question is: do we really have enough reason to feel this way? More specifically, what does it really mean to be saved? 

It is indeed terrifying to imagine a reality which is completely cut off from God’s love. Such is a reality where despair is never satiated – love ceases to exist. It is a reality in which our humanity is debased, and we stop doing what we are created to do – to love. All this is to say that, whenever we speak of salvation, we must always keep in mind our happiness and flourishing. In this respect, if we reflect further on this week’s Gospel, we discover that being “saved” isn’t so much about achieving something – it is more about growing and receiving. As the “Angelic Doctor” (Saint Thomas Aquinas) tells us, the virtues of faith and charity are a “gift”. And precisely, it is because God gifts himself to us all, that Christ warns the apostles that “many will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough”. God’s salvation isn’t primarily received on merits of strength and mere self-effort. We cannot buy God’s unconditional love – in truth, His love does not need to be bought, because it is already given to us freely and always. The ultimate task, therefore, is to “receive it”. That’s what we do with gifts, after all! But how do we receive God? This is where Christ’s final words come in. Christ says, “some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last”. Essentially, what Christ is hinting at here is “humility”. His point is that self-flourishing – personal union with God (salvation) – is not primarily the result of self-creation (of our egoic capacity to be in control) – rather, it is the result of being open to humbly receiving. It is about putting down our guard, accepting our flaws, and being open to God’s healing. It is about realising that we don’t know our way around – that we’re on a journey, trying to grow, trying to find joy – and don’t fully know the ropes. Indeed, it takes a great deal of humility for one to say: I need you, O Lord.

Very often, who’s “first” isn’t always truly first. The world may well portray certain feats and ways of life as being most valuable – and yet, amidst all this, with great love, Christ reminds us that what we truly and primarily need, to both grow and find joy, is to be always one with Him – something which only the truly humble – those “sometimes last” – can receive. 
Let us not strive for the rewards of heaven, valuable though they may be, but live so as to please the God of heaven. If God were not in heaven, all its beauty, riches, and sweetness would be dull rather than delightful. By faith, we know God already dwells within us. But in heaven we will see God face to face. May we so live that one day we will be in heaven praising and playing eternally before our Lord and Saviour! – St. Jean De Chantal

A reading from the Gospel of Luke (LK13:22-30)

“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.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why?
  3. Ask yourself: what’s my perception of salvation? Am I as aware that salvation goes hand in hand with my joy and flourishing? Am I aware that salvation begins in this world?
  4. God’s love, grace, and mercy are infinite. This means that we do not have any reason to fear. How often do I fear approaching to God? How humble am I to fully allow God to heal me and perfect me? How open am I to His love?
  5. Take a few moments to reflect upon what it truly means to be humble. 
  6. Together with your family find the right time to read this Gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare;
    i. The Bible reading from St Luke (13, 22-30)
    ii. A candle
    iii. Cover the table with a green cloth
    v. A computer/laptop with the readings and clips
  7. Go through the steps with your children (2 age groups are being suggested).
  8. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  9. Be creative 😊 

Do you know what it means for a person to be “saved”? In this Gospel, Jesus explains this to us – he explains what it means to be saved and to always be together with God.

  • Being close to God isn’t always easy – but God is always there to help and guide us. 
  • Laptop / computer

Have you ever wanted to do something and your parents told you not to do it because you will get hurt if you do? Why do you think that your parents told you this? 

They do so because they love you!

Today, Jesus tells us that there are some things that we should never do. He tells us that there are some paths that we should never take, because they are hurtful and destructive to us, even if they might appear beautiful and attractive! Jesus tells us that in order to always be with Him, we must take a specific path – called the “narrow path”. But what is the narrow path? The narrow path is a path which doesn’t always appear pretty but which will always keep us close to Jesus. It is a path which gives us our truest happiness and helps us grow. This path requires us to find time for prayer (to get to know God), to try to go to mass whenever we can and to love Jesus and others. This might not always feel good or be easy. Sometimes, we might feel lazy or bored, sometimes friends might judge us too, but Jesus promises us that He will always help us if we try! Jesus loves us and cares for us. He therefore gives us what we need. All we need to do is to accept His unique love and His guidance. Are we ready to do this? 

Our time on this earth is limited – we will not live forever! This means that whenever someone gives us a good opportunity, we should not miss it, because time is always running out. God has given us the opportunity to accept His love and be His children. What shall our answer be? 😊 

Listen to the song, Behold Behold I Stand At The Door.

Sign of the Cross.

Thank you, Lord, for giving us the opportunity to receive you and be your children. Thank you for always guiding us whenever we need. Help us say “yes” to you and accept your love!

Say the Lord’s Prayer.

In today’s Gospel, we will listen to Jesus answering some of the disciples’ questions, discussing what it means for someone to be “saved” and be together with God in this life and in heaven.

  • Salvation is not always easy; it requires humility and an acceptance of God’s love.
  • Whiteboard/Screen
  • Whiteboard marker 

Quiz. 

At the start of this weeks’ Gospel we find the apostles asking Jesus a particular question. They ask Jesus: “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” What does it mean for a person to “be saved”? This might appear as a difficult question – but being “saved” simply means to remain children of God – it means to not be separated from God. How does Jesus reply to this question? 

In replying to the question which the disciples ask, Jesus tells us that what makes us truly grow and find joy is to be with Him. But the question is: how do we grow in our friendship with Jesus? How do we remain close to Him – not only in this life but also in the afterlife? There are many things one can mention, but this time Jesus focuses on one thing specifically – he speaks about “humility”. As usual, to explain, Jesus narrates to us a parable. He speaks of two doors – one which is very wide and one which is very narrow. Here, Jesus acknowledges that it appears much easier if one tries to pass through the “wide door” – but he also says that the “wide door” is not good for us, that it will lead us astray! Jesus tells us that if we want to be together with Him, both in this life and in the afterlife in Heaven, we must pass through the “narrow door”. What do the “narrow door” and the “wide door” symbolise – what does Jesus mean by them? 

The “wide door” is the door which leads to a path that takes us far away from God – a path which consists in behaviours which stop us from being children of God. The wide path is the path of those who stop making time for God in their life, of those who rebel against God and ignore Him. Of those who stop trying to love. The “narrow door”, in contrast, is that door which leads to a path that keeps us always close to God – a path which inspires us to always pray and make time for God, a path which helps us make space for God (and others) in our hearts. Here, the reason why Jesus speaks of humility is because one must be “humble” to be able to realise that they need God’s help! It takes humility to understand that we are not perfect and need Jesus and His Church to heal and guide us. The wonderful news is that Jesus is always there to help us grow, always. This means that even if we fail, Jesus will nevertheless still be there to help get up on our feet again. All we need to do is to simply make the effort and find the time to receive and to accept His profound and selfless love. How often do we do this? How often to we turn to Jesus when we fail?

Considering the above, if possible, divide yourselves in groups of 2/3 (depending on audience), or ask the below questions to your child individually:

  1. This weeks Gospel speaks of “salvation” – what does it mean for a person to be saved?
  2. What does Jesus tell the apostles in this week’s Gospel – what parable does he use?
  3. What does the “wide door” symbolise? Give 2 examples.
  4. What does the “narrow door” symbolise? Give 2 examples. 
  5. Jesus tells us that to be with Him (to be saved) we need to pass from the “narrow door”. What do we need in order to be able to do this? What’s the “virtue” which Christ emphasises? 
  6. How can we grow in Humility? (make reference to prayer, making time for God, the sacraments, and reading Scripture)

Conclude by outlining that this life is very precious, and that time is always running out (we don’t live eternally in this world). This means that we must always make use of the good opportunities that are given to us – especially the opportunity that Christ is always giving us –to humbly receive Him and His guidance. 

Sign of the cross.

Everyone says a short prayer asking Jesus to help us understand more what it means to be humble, to help us be humble with all people and in our relationship with Him. Also pray that Jesus will help us receive His love and not waste any opportunity to do so! 

Gospel in Symbols Sunday 21Download

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God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.