STRIVE TO ENTER BY THE NARROW GATE

Homily for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Bible Readings: Isaiah 66:18-21; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22–30

I once read the story of a young man who wanted to run a marathon. On the day of registration, he showed up proudly, filled out the forms, and collected his number tag. But when the race began, he quickly realized that enthusiasm alone could not carry him to the finish line. The real challenge was not in signing up but in training, persevering, and enduring the long and narrow road ahead. In the same way, being called a Christian is not merely about having our name on the “parish register”; it is about striving daily to walk the narrow road that leads to life.

This is the central message of today’s Gospel. Jesus, on His way to Jerusalem, is asked a question: “Lord, will only a few be saved?” But instead of giving a statistic, He offers a challenge: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” The word “strive” here comes from the Greek agonizesthe, from which we get the word agony or agonize. It means to struggle, to exert effort, to wrestle with all our strength. In other words, salvation is not cheap grace; it demands perseverance, effort, personal striving, intentional discipleship, and self-emptying.

This message resonates with the first reading from Isaiah. The Lord declares that He will gather all nations to Himself - people from east and west, from north and south. Salvation is universal, open to all, but entry is through the gate of fidelity to God. Isaiah’s prophecy reminds us that God’s plan is inclusive, but Jesus teaches that inclusion does not mean complacency. The doors of heaven are wide open, but the path to them is narrow. We must shed off some pounds in order to pass through the gate. 

The second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews deepens this understanding by reminding us that the Christian journey involves discipline. Like a loving father, God trains His children through trials so that they may bear the “fruit of righteousness.” Discipline, though painful at the moment, is God’s way of strengthening us for the race. Just as athletes submit to rigorous training, Christians must embrace the discipline of prayer, self-control, charity, and fidelity to God’s commandments. Without this, our spiritual muscles remain weak, and we cannot endure the narrow road.

Jesus also warns us against presumption. Many will say on the last day, “We ate and drank in your company.” But salvation is not secured by proximity to Christ; it is secured by conformity to Christ. To hear His teaching is not enough; we must live it. To be up-to-date with the payment of dues is not enough, we must keep God’s commandment. To sit at His table in the Eucharist is not enough; we must let His Body and Blood transform us into His likeness. Otherwise, He may say to us: “I do not know where you are from.”

The Gospel then concludes with a reversal: “Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Here, Jesus overturns all human expectations. Entry into the kingdom is not about earthly status, privilege, or appearances. It is about humility, faith, and perseverance. The humble sinner who struggles daily to repent may enter ahead of the proud who think themselves secure. Therefore, our Christian life must be lived with seriousness. The narrow gate may be prayer when it is inconvenient, forgiveness when it is difficult, faith when doubts arise, fidelity when temptations abound. It is narrow because it demands sacrifice, but it is also the only gate that leads to joy.

Dear friend, Christianity is not a casual stroll but a marathon. It is not enough to register; we must run. It is not enough to start; we must finish. The question is not “How many will be saved?” but “Am I striving to enter by the narrow gate?” May the Lord give us strength, through His Word and sacraments, to persevere to the end and find our place at the banquet of the Kingdom. Amen.