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October 7, 2019
Father Robert A. Barbato, OFM Cap
Mission Santa Inés
Solvang
Peace and Good! I was moved to write you after Maureen Nunes’ letter (Sept. 12) regarding Father William Nicholas’ Scripture reflection, “The Tragic Teaching of the Narrow Gate,” (Aug. 22). While Father Nicholas’ point about avoiding complacency or any sense of salvation as a given is important – Jesus’ call always requires a response – the tone of his reflection presents an incomplete understanding of Luke 13:22 ff.
The problem is Father Nicholas’ focus on the demands of God’s call without also acknowledging, as Ms. Nunes says, “his promises of hope and love and mercy.” Father Nicholas quotes the first half of Matthew 19:26, “For human beings it is impossible,” but sadly leaves off the second half, “but for God all things are possible.” Jesus’ response to the question, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” is not about numbers or guarantees of salvation, but rather about a tendency of certain people (e.g., the Pharisees) to limit God’s salvation to themselves.
We don’t have any idea of numbers, but it is good to remember that in Matthew 8:11 Jesus says, “Many will come from the east and the west and will find a place at the banquet in the kingdom of God.” Also, while it is true that Jesus in the Gospels rarely says that anyone’s salvation is assured, he does often say, as to the sinful woman who wept at His feet, “Your faith has been your salvation” (Luke 7:50). The Gospel message is one of both challenge and comfort, and we human beings need both in order to live its message. May the Lord bless and keep you!
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