How do we enter
the kingdom of God?
The people of
Israel were sent into exile in Babylon in large part because of their worship
of false idols, their greed, and their self-focus. When they return, at the end of the Book of Isaiah, God knows they are still in need of conversion, of transformation. So God sends out a call for all to gather,
that they might be cleansed, made into clean
vessels for the love of God. Once
purified, the people will have a new way of seeing themselves; they themselves
will be, in fact, an offering to the Lord.
Isaiah’s call is to nations of
every language; Psalm 117 exhorts all
you nations to praise the Lord,
who, in his fidelity and kindness,
enables their conversion, their return to covenant.
Though it may not
sound like it at first, Jesus similarly opens the door to conversion and
covenant to all in Luke’s Gospel. When
asked, Lord, will only a few people be
saved? Jesus replies, Strive to enter
through the narrow gate. Focus is
necessary: we must choose obedience to
the Lord, choose relationship, that we might recline at table in the kingdom of God. It is in listening to God, paying attention
to God’s will, that we can recognize and let go of our blindness. Conversion is necessary if we are to come to
the knowledge that God’s infinite love is extended to all. The Letter to the Hebrews also reminds us of
God’s transformative love: he whom the Lord loves, he disciplines. Learning (discipline) is a natural part of
the journey, whether it be through suffering or through our experience of God’s
love. All life experiences, even the
painful ones, are salvific, helping us to enter the kingdom of God, because
every life experience opens us, changes us, transforms us. God’s love transcends the best and worst of
this life; it is greater than anything we might know on our own – if only we
have the vision, and courage, to see it and to choose it in spite of our trials
along the way. If we keep our eyes on
the prize – perfect union with God in heaven – we will enter the kingdom,
hearts converted to God, rejoicing in God’s covenant love for all.
This post is based
on Fr. Pat’s Scripture Class.
Image source: www.wordclouds.com
