In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem when someone asks him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” When you take your time to observe Jesus and the way he responds to questions, you will notice that he does not answer from the surface; he goes to the root of the question. This question is one that Jesus would have answered with a simple “Yes,” “No,” or a specific number. But Jesus did not do so; he most likely saw the question as a question born of pride and presumption, perhaps from someone who thought being Jewish, religious, or familiar with God was a guaranteed ticket to Heaven. So, instead of giving the simple answer the man expected, Jesus answers with a challenge: “Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.”
Jesus then continues by addressing, not just the man who asked him the question, but every other person with a similar mindset; he warns of people who will say, “We ate and drank with you!” or “You taught in our streets!” as if that was all that mattered. But in response, the Master will say, “I do not know you.” Jesus then added the surprising twist: “Some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.” By this, he was warning against religious complacency, spiritual pride, religious superiority, and the assumption that external status or past credentials could replace the constant hard work, conversion, humility, and perseverance that Heaven requires of us.
We live in a world that rewards appearance and privilege. People fight and even kill for titles, including religious titles and resumes. Some assume that they are “first” in God’s eyes because they go to Church, hold some special positions, or are privileged to have the proper upbringing. But Jesus flips the script. He values humility, repentance, and endurance. He is not moved by hype, human reputation, and entitlement. Being physically close to the Church, vestments, altars, Bible, and religious titles is not exactly the same as being close to Christ. That is why divine judgment comes with many surprises; for while human beings judge based on the externals, God sees and knows those struggling quietly to do what is right, and he rewards them. That is how those the world sees as first end up as last before God; and those the world sees as last, end up as first before God.
It is important to clarify that Jesus never says the last will automatically become first. He explains that the door is narrow, indicating that effort, discipline, and right intention are all parts of the requirements. If today you feel like you are last, if today you feel no one recognizes your efforts, if today you feel left out, do not give up; remember that there is someone who matters most, God, who sees all your efforts. Do not just give up; be sure you are sincerely putting all efforts as humanly possible, and none of such efforts will go to waste. Remember, the first person to reap the fruit of the death and resurrection of Jesus was not one of the apostles; not one of the religious leaders of that time; he was a thief, someone already condemned to death by the “good people.” Yet, Jesus said to him on the Cross, “Today, you will be with me in Paradise.” Where else can you get a better example of the first being last and the last being first? And when Jesus rose from the dead, the first person to see him, and to whom Jesus entrusted the honor of delivering the news of all news, the best news ever: that the tomb was empty, was a woman, Mary Magdalene. There are so many suggestions that her past was not commendable, but what matters now is that she became the first to see the risen Lord and take the news to the rest of the world. It does not matter what the world says of you now; what matters is your alignment with God’s will.
Another point to clarify is that Jesus is not against those who are first now; he only warns against the temptations that come with being first now. Jesus’ words here do not suggest that anyone who is first now must be last in the end. He only warns that being first today does not mean you will be first in the end. You must strive to keep it to the end. To remain “first” in the kingdom, we must imitate Christ. He was first, not just in line but in divinity: “Though he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped” (Philippians 2). And yet, he came down, not as a king in a palace, but as a baby in a manger, not with a sword but with a towel. Not demanding worship but washing feet. He said, “I did not come to be served, but to serve.” And ultimately, he humbled himself even to death, not just any death, but the most humiliating and brutal kind, death on a cross. And because he so humbled himself, God the Father highly exalted him and gave him a name above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee must bend, in Heaven and on earth and under the earth; and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So, if you are a leader, lead by serving. When people praise you, direct it to God. When people trust you, become even more faithful. If you have known God for a long time, then love him more deeply through his people without entitlement. The only way to truly remain first in God’s kingdom is never to forget how unworthy we are and how generous he is.
In the end, the kingdom of God is not about where and how you started but where and how you finished. The narrow door is not to keep people out. It is narrow because it requires us to leave behind the excess luggage of pride, sin, presumption, and passivity. It demands that we travel light with humility, love, and perseverance. And most importantly, it requires us to travel empty of ourselves so we can be full of God, with whom we hope to live forever and ever. Amen.
Homily for 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C 2025
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