Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul, 24 August 2025
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Isaiah 66:18-21 ><}}}*> Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 ><}}}*> Luke 13:22-30

Anyone who had gone on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land must have heard the story of the fabled “narrow door” at the entrance of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, of how it was reduced into that small door a very long time ago to prevent pilgrims from bringing their horses and camels inside the church that made a lot mess and stench.

That little door of the Church of the Nativity later became symbolic of the humble gesture of bowing low first to enter and see the Savior’s birthplace, eventually heaven as Jesus had been teaching us these past Sundays.

We are now in the final installment of the teachings by Jesus about the coming End, of what must we do to gain eternal life. He is now halfway through his long journey to Jerusalem since he started eight Sundays ago.

Along the way, he had met every kind of people, proclaiming to them the same message – that the kingdom of God is at hand where everyone is welcomed like what Isaiah prophesied in the first reading.

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house had arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying…” (Luke 13:22-25).

In his teachings these past three Sundays, Jesus had been warning us against too much focus on things of the world that perish like material wealth, telling us to be more concerned of things of heaven that lead to eternal life. He had been clear that it would not be easy at all with the demands of being his disciples.

It was in this context that someone in the crowd asked Jesus today on his way to Jerusalem if only a few people would be saved. The question sounds very amusing not only because Jesus had always been clear that heaven does not come cheap as we must learn to renounce our self, take up his cross and follow him. That someone in the crowd who asked that question is actually us! And we know so well why until now we keep asking that same question: because we lack the discipline within to truly follow Christ. We always want what is easy and convenient, preferring shortcuts, avoiding sacrifices, as much as possible, no pains and sufferings. Hence, despite our knowing what it takes to gain eternal life, we still keep on doing the opposite.

It is the same with our physical well-being wherein we know so well what is healthy but we still keep doing, eating and drinking what is unhealthy. The sad truth of this lack of discipline in our body and soul is how we start shaping ourselves only when we are already sick and close to dying! That is when we feel sorry and start telling God like those in the parable that “we ate and drank in your company.”

Jesus had no intentions of dodging the question of that someone – and us in many occasions when we realize how difficult it is to follow his path of simplicity and humility, of love and kindness, of mercy and forgiveness. See how he neither gave a number nor a percentage of those who would be saved in the End. Jesus simply told the people including us today to do everything to make it into the Kingdom of God that is like a “narrow gate” and a “locked door”.

Following Jesus is more than being in his company but more of being like him. On this final Sunday of his teaching on the End, of entering the Kingdom of God in eternity, Jesus reminds us to shape up, body and soul so that we can squeeze ourselves into heaven’s “narrow gate” and “locked door”. Here we find again the second reading giving us more light into the meaning of the gospel this Sunday.

Brothers and sisters, you have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children: “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.” Endure your trials as discipline… At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight the paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed (Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13).

Discipline is a word so misunderstood these days that too often, it is frowned upon, even feared by many. In this age of so much “freedom” without any regard to “responsibility”, discipline has become its main casualty.

From the Latin verb discere which is “to learn” and “to follow”, its noun form disciplina means teaching or learning from which came the word discipulus for disciple, a follower or a pupil. Therefore, a person of discipline is one who follows or obeys teachings. Contrary to the wrong idea of many today that discipline limits freedom which they see as the ability to do whatever one wishes, the more disciplined a person is, the more free the person actually becomes!

When we discipline ourselves in every aspect of our lives like in food and drink intake, in using our time wisely, in budgeting our money and resources among other things, the more we become free to many other things in life. Remove discipline and do whatever you like in your life, eventually you become “unfree” because definitely you will miss your responsibilities and obligations like studies in school and duties at home and the office.

The same is true in our spiritual life: without discipline like prayer life, disorder and sin happen. It is discipline that literally and figuratively shapes us into persons able to squeeze through the narrow gate and locked door of freedom and salvation!

In following the reflection of the author of Hebrews, we find that discipline is not just a human effort but the work of God too. As St. Augustine wrote, “grace builds on nature” – the more we discipline ourselves, the more blessed we become because God’s grace and gifts in us are perfected. See how discipline is like a built-in “app” God installed in each of us to ensure that we have all the means to reach heaven in Jesus Christ.

Looking back to the past four weeks, we find Jesus as the perfect example of a disciplined person, of leading a disciplined life focused on the mission from the Father. Since he started this long journey, Luke noted in chapter nine how Jesus was “resolutely determined” to go to Jerusalem, teaching us along the way to be like him focused on things of heaven than of earth, always vigilant of the coming End. Since the resumption of Sundays in Ordinary Time last July 06, Luke showed Jesus frequenting the synagogue on sabbath to worship and to preach. Most of all, Jesus prayed a lot which prompted his disciples to ask him to teach them how to pray too. Our celebrating the Sunday Mass in the church is a discipline of highest order because every Eucharistic celebration is a dress rehearsal of our entrance into heaven. Always come until we all gather together in eternity. Amen. Have a blessed and disciplined week ahead everyone. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com).