"Repent and believe the Good News."

 Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity."

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Romans 8:26-30

Likewise,

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought,

but that very Spirit intercedes for us, without words, as if with groans.

And he, who sees inner secrets, knows the desires of the Spirit, for he asks for the holy ones, what is pleasing to God.

 

We know that in everything, God works for the good of those who love him, whom he has called, according to his plan.

Those whom he knew beforehand, he has also predestined, to be like his Son, similar to him,

so, that, he may be the Firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And so, those whom God predestined, he called;

and those whom he called, he makes righteous; and to those whom he makes righteous, he will give his glory.

 

Ps 13:4-5, 6

My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊

Luke 13:22-30

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

Someone asked him, "Lord, is it true that few people will be saved?"

 

And Jesus answered, "Do your best to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.

When once the master of the house has gone inside and locked the door, you will stand outside.

Then you will knock at the door, calling, 'Lord, open to us!' But he will say to you, 'I do not know where you come from.

 

Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets!' But he will reply,

'I don't know where you come from. Away from me, all you workers of evil.

 

You will weep and grind your teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God,

and you yourselves left outside. Others will sit at table in the kingdom of God, people coming from east and west,

from north and south. Some who are among the last, will be first; and some who are among the first, will be last!"

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Repent and believe the Good News."

Christ doesn't give exact numbers on how many will be saved.

Instead, he encourages us to avoid complacency and presuming that the way in will be without challenge.

The challenge, or the "narrow door," is Christ's call to "repent and believe the Good News."

Such repentance and conversion of life leads to a belonging, which unites us to Christ, in such a way that he recognizes us.

The reverse is seen in those in the Gospel who remain unchanged by Christ's message, but presume that having heard it is enough.

 

And so, they say, ""We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets!' But he will reply,

'I don't know where you come from." Entering by the narrow door is not to be understood

as if God expects perfection as the price of admission to heaven. If it were, we would not need a Saviour.

However, in our sin and weakness, the desire for God and for his Kingdom is of great importance,

as this shows that we wish to belong, and it spurs us onwards to be more conformed to Christ in our way of living.

Thus, repentance and conversion are an ongoing process.