On discipline


21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 13:22-30


‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.
The first reading speaks about an assembly of people called by God sent to proclaim to others his glory.  What kind of people are these?  Are we worthy to join this august crowd?

The second and third readings give us a hint of the type of people who are worthy to join God's people.  They are disciplined by the Lord because of his great love for them.  Moreover, they entered into the narrow door where only a few could enter.

Discipline is the key to being incorporated into God's kingdom.  And if we say we are not obliged to serve God, give our tithes, or actively participate in an apostolate, we may be in for a big surprise.  The Lord would not let us enter into his kingdom not only because he doesn't know us despite our presence during his talks, but also we  became evildoers.

Consider discipline as our way to heaven.  It is for our own good when we submit ourselves to purification of our desires.

Secondly, discipline is for the good of the community.  We observe God's law so we would not end up committing sins against another.

Third, discipline affirms our desire to be disciples of the Lord.  When we live out God's will rather than our own, we become his disciples.  Thus, the assembly God wants is a community of disciples.  By being a disciple of the Lord, we would be able to enter through the narrow door that leads to everlasting life.

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