Homily: August 28, 2022, Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

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 "Strive to enter through the narrow gate”.

Do you know how to trap monkeys? There are lots of monkeys in the villages of India. Many people use traps to catch them. But monkeys are very clever, when they get caught, they can figure out ways to escape easily and fast, except for one trick.

Tribal people understand the weakness of monkeys very well. They will take a pot with a narrow neck and hang it from a tree, then put some nuts around it and in it.

A monkey would soon come forward, enjoy the nuts around it and be tempted for more. It will want the nuts in the pot too. It slides its hand into the pot, grabs a big handful of nuts and tries to run. But its hand, full of nuts, would be too big to come out of the pot. Its hand remains stuck and the monkey is caught. This simple trick works all the time.

Monkeys are clever enough to know that they can escape simply by letting go of the nuts. But they never do. Why?

The temptation is greater than their intelligence. Their lust for food overrides their value for life.

Jesus says, “Enter through the narrow gate!”

Yes, entering through a narrow gate is easy for those who have no baggage. Imagine if you have many bags and big luggage, you will be stuck like the monkey, until and unless you give up what tempts you away from heaven. You have no need of any earthly things in heaven anyway.

Jesus is not referring to our physical baggages but spiritual.

I know some people who have worked hard all their life and achieved high status, owned many properties, built up great wealth and successful businesses, but have no time, no interest, no patience for God, for church, for others. When they reached the end of their lives, they become lonely, depressed and afraid to die.

They know they cannot bring any of those things with them, but their hearts are stuck. Their possessions burden them.

I also know others who have worked hard the same, but are generous and charitable. They are active in church, they help the poor, sick and hungry. They are free and joyful. They have many real friends and are happy to share what they have with others who need it more.

When we meet Jesus face to face, He will ask us: I was hungry, did you feed me?  I was thirsty, did you give me a drink? I was a stranger, did you welcome me? I was naked, did you cloth me? I was ill, did you care for me? I was in prison, did you visit me?

If our answer is ‘No’, He will tell us, “I do not know where you are from.” Truly, we will be very shocked, cry and beat our hearts, gnash our teeth in great regret.

We are on this earth not to live for ourselves. We are here to know God, to love and serve Him in others. Live simply, keep less and give more. When it is time to enter the narrow gate of heaven, we will fit through easily. 

Amen.


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