TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY

“WARNING: Exposure to the SON may prevent burning”

1.       Who will be saved ? Yesterday at the Charismatic Prayer group meeting, there was a big discussion about whether we are saved or not. Some thought we were saved, others thought we were a long way from being saved. The discussion became heated and emotional. But the Apostles did not ask that question. They know that Salvation is there for all, the question is WHO will benefit from this Salvation

2.       If we accept salvation, we go to heaven. If we do not we go to Hell. And there in lies the Rub. What do we believe about Hell? Some 50 years ago, it was a definite place some where down below. There would be fire, and smoke, and an awful smell of burning flesh. It would take a long time to discuss the rights and wrongs of that picture - and it would really serve no purpose. The Holy Father, John Paul II said we cannot think of Hell in human terms and use our human imagination.

          Our idea of being saved seems to have a pattern as we grow, age and mature.  This is a generalisation - if it is not your experience, throw it out, but do not ask me to dot the “I”s and cross the “t”s.

  the younger generation do not SEEM to believe there is a hell. It is something you grown ups have cooked up to make us afraid. But now we fear nothing.

 as we reach middle age: we do believe in Hell. But it is a place of pain and punishment. But only our enemies are there: the terrorists, the Al -Kaida, the child molesters and murderers. We are not going there and neither are our friends.

 As we reach our eighties, Hell is something real and we are fearful that something we did in the past, which we may or may have confessed, is going to catch up with us and we are afraid of going to Hell. In fact we think the only people going there is : Me.

2B           Unfortunately all these pictures  are wrong, but there is a bit of truth in all. Hell is a fearful place and it does exist. Our enemies do not get an automatic entry into it, and our seniors are definitely not going to go there. God wants us to be with God in heaven: Salvation is for ALL... as the King says to his servant “Invite all to the banquet.” and the servant brings in all: the good and the bad. Yes even the bad - does not fit your idea or mine. But heaven is neither yours or mine to give. It is freely given.

The only people who will not get in there, are those who refuse. I cannot come to the banquet, because I have more important things to do:

 I have to throw a candle light party for the rich and famous

 I have bought the latest computer with all the bells and whistles, I am busy

 I have to watch how my stocks are doing on the market.

 I am buying a new house.

 I am getting married, the hall, the church, the dress all take time.

The invitation to heaven always comes at an INCONVENIENT TIME. Are we ready? The seniors always are. They spend all their time praying, thinking of the needs of others, praying for children and grandchildren who have apparently fallen away from the faith. The only picture for them are the words of God: “Well done good and faithful servant come into the Kingdom prepared for you since the beginning.”

3.             And so hell is not as we imagine a lot of fire, smoke and a devil with horns and a pointed tail. It is not that place which contains certain people you and I would like to send there. If you read the view that come via the Radio, TV and Internet after any child murderer is caught and jailed, you can be sure to hear at least one person say, “May he rot in hell.” When emotions run high, we say things we regret later. I know that from experience. When dealing with even the most depraved child molester or killer, I never forget the words of Jesus, “The measure you use for others will be the same measure used for you.” I want God to show me mercy, clemency, make excuses and give explanations for the sins I have done and the pain I cause. And so even if I felling like saying - I hold back from saying “may he rot in hell forever.”

4.             And so our readings invite us to two attitudes with regards the question: “who will be saved?”

a.             The first is that of OPENNESS of heart. This is not a case of being “bleeding heart liberals.” Jesus came that all may have life and have it to the full. And by all, it definitely means everyone:

 not just some people

 not just my people

 not just the Irish or the Caribbeans or Filipinos or put in the name of any country you want: Greek, Chinese, Iraqis, Australian, take a pick from the list of countries in the Olympic chart and then some.

b.             Secondly, let us NOT BE PRESUMPTUOUS. Heaven is a gift, a gift for all it is true, but still a gift. We cannot presume that because I have been for daily Mass, put in my donation, lit a candle, bought a doughnut, gone to the Martyrs Shrine on a pilgrimage, sang in the choir etc I will automatically get in. My chances are better, because these help me to be open to God’s invitation. But I do not have a right, I cannot sue God. If I do have a right, it is because I trust in God and like Job I can say, “I know that my Redeemer lives and on the last day I will rise again.” My confidence, my boasting is like Paul: if I boast, I boast in the Lord. Not my own achievements. Otherwise I might be like the man in the Gospel, I may knock and knock and knock on the door, and the Master will say, “I do not know you.”

Perhaps a Parable with the POINT SYSTEM might get the message across.

Joe arrives at heaven and says to Peter, “I want in, please”

Peter replies: “You need 1000 points.”

Joe, “Hey that sounds like the Canadian immigration system. Except that you Peter demand more points.”

Peter, “So you are a Canadian, eh? So you already have had a taste of heaven. Let us see what are your credits.”

Joe, “That should be easy. I came from a good and religious family. That should be a 100 points at least.”

Peter replies, “that is ONE point.”

Joe, “I never missed Mass on Sundays even when I went on holidays. When I retired, I went for daily mass.  In ten years, that was 3650 Masses. That should count some.”

Peter replies, “that is ONE POINT.”

Joe then lists a whole lot of things he did. I said the Rosary each day, joined the Knights of Columbus, read at Mass, helped in the Out of the Cold programme in winter, was a driver for the Cancer patients, helped the St. Vincent de Paul.

Peter replied, “That is one point each.”

Now Joe is really worried. Finally he said to Peter, “I will never get into heaven, unless the Father lets me in.”

Ah, says Peter, that is 999 points. Come on in.

Heaven is there for the asking, but until we realise it from the bottom of our hearts, and not just say it with our lips... it will always be out there, and we do not go in. St. Ignatius of Loyola would say, “Work as if your salvation depends on you. (AS JOE DID IN THE PARABLE.)  Then pray because everything depends on God.”