Reflection for August 24, 2025

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Isaiah 66:18-21 | Psalm 117:1, 2 | Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 | Luke 13:22-30

​Today’s readings really connect well. The first one reminds us to welcome God’s way of teaching us to be more inclusive, especially toward those who are often left out. The second reading compares God’s guidance to how a parent disciplines a child—meant to help us grow. And the Gospel challenges us to enter through the narrow gate into God’s kingdom, stressing that we shouldn’t delay.

​On January 1, 1993, Cardinal Jaime Sin, then Archbishop of Manila, welcomed a visit from Sri Chinmoy, the Indian spiritual leader, at the EDSA Shrine. With his signature humor, the “good Sin” remarked to the humble guru, “This is a place of prayer and worship, yet people often come to me only with their complaints.” Reflecting on a past interfaith gathering in Japan, the Cardinal recalled, “Representatives from many great faiths were present: the nephew of Mahatma Gandhi for Hinduism, the Executive General Secretary from Sri Lanka for Islam, and even the Dalai Lama himself. We spoke together of peace, and in our conversations, there were no divisions.” Sri Chinmoy responded with gentle wisdom: “All roads lead to God’s House—that is our destination. Though we are born into different traditions and dwell in different houses, we journey toward the same goal.” To this, Cardinal Sin added, “Indeed, we are saying the same truth, only expressed in different words.” The others agreed, affirming, “Yes, there is no difference. We are all seekers of peace, and in that search, we all move toward Heaven.” Sri Chinmoy beautifully concluded, “Peace-dreamers, peace-lovers, and peace-promoters are all in the same boat. We journey together.” And Cardinal Sin, affirming this spirit of unity, replied, “‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall see the face of God.’ May God bless you—and please, bless me as well.”

God’s dream is to gather all people—every race, language, and status—into one family bound by love and compassion. In Isaiah, the Lord declares: “I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory.” It is a vision where no one is excluded, where the Temple becomes a house of prayer for all, and both Israelites and Gentiles share one worship. Yet today, we see so much division, hatred, and unrest. Could it be because we have forgotten this truth—that we are all God’s children, that we belong to one another? My friends, Isaiah reminds us that God’s kingdom is not for the few, but for all. The challenge is urgent: to break down walls, to welcome the stranger, to love beyond differences. When we do, we allow God’s glory to shine through us, and we begin to taste the unity and peace of His kingdom here and now.

In a humble sheepfold near Ancient Israel, a young boy noticed his shepherd father carrying a lamb upon his shoulders. With concern, he asked, “Abba, what happened? Why are you carrying the lamb? Did it fall from a mountain?” The shepherd gently replied, “No, my son. I broke its leg.” Startled, the boy asked, “Why would you do that? Are you a cruel shepherd?” The father looked at him with tenderness and said, “Not at all. I broke the lamb’s leg because I love it and want to save its life. This lamb kept running away, straying far from the fold. And I know the nature of sheep—when they wander too far, the wolves are waiting. So I had to keep it close to me. With its leg broken, I will carry it, feed it by hand, and let it grow used to my voice and my scent. I will treat it with such kindness that when its leg is healed, it will never want to leave me again.”

Do you see hardships as blessings or as curses? When trials come, do you begin to doubt God’s love? The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that difficulties are not punishments but God’s loving discipline. “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every child he receives.” Like a shepherd guiding a stubborn sheep, God sometimes allows painful correction—not to harm, but to protect and restore us. Left to wander, we risk dangers that can destroy us. But when we are drawn back, even through discipline, we learn to trust His voice and remain close to His care. Discipline is never pleasant at the time, but later it yields “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” It is God’s way of shaping us into holiness, conforming us to Christ. So let us not despise His discipline but receive it with hope, knowing His motive is love, His practice is perfect, and His purpose is nothing less than our salvation.

John, a workforce manager at a contact center, had a problem: production was taking a serious hit because employees treated the lunch bell like a suggestion instead of a signal. When the bell rang, the workstations were emptier than the office fridge on payday. To fix this, John posted a sign on the suggestion box with an incentive: a cash prize for the best answer to this question—“How do we make sure everyone’s back on the production floor the moment the bell rings?” Dozens of ideas poured in, and the winning solution finally got people moving on time. But the entry John secretly loved most—though he couldn’t officially use it—was this gem: “Make the last associate to return ring the bell.”

In today’s Gospel, as Jesus journeys toward Jerusalem, someone in the crowd asks him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” It’s a question we may hear even today—“Are you saved?” But notice how Jesus answers. He doesn’t give numbers or statistics. Instead, he challenges us: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” What does this mean? It means salvation is God’s free gift, but it requires our response—our obedience, our conversion, our daily “yes” to God. Jesus warns us not to presume, not to think we are entitled simply because we belong to the right group or say the right words. “Some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.” The narrow gate is open now, but it will not remain open forever. My friends, Jesus himself is that gate. To delay is to risk missing it. The time is now—urgent, pressing, critical. Let us enter through him today, while the door is still open.

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