Dear Preachers:

Have you read any good books lately? Many of us seem to be reading fewer books these days. Perhaps that’s because we have the convenience of audio books—or maybe we’re just too busy!

Some years ago, among the most popular books were the Harry Potter series and the Left Behind books by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. The Left Behind series, which began in 1995, eventually spanned 11 volumes and sold over 40 million copies.

The series claims to be based on the Book of Revelation – that vivid, symbolic book of dreams, visions, and multi-headed beasts. Revelation is filled with visionary writing and supercharged poetic imagery. Originally, it was meant to console a persecuted Church, proclaiming that God would ultimately triumph, and that goodness would not be defeated. For Christians suffering under persecution, when evil seemed to be winning, Revelation offered a word of hope.

But the Left Behind series takes the poetic and symbolic language of Revelation literally.

People have always worried about how history will turn out. Is there a moral order in the universe? We want to believe that good is more powerful than evil, that justice will prevail, that light will triumph over darkness. The Left Behind books try to offer answers and encouragement. They claim that there is more to live for than our pleasures and endless desires. They say the Bible supports the idea of a "Rapture" that will come suddenly – like a flash of lightning – when Jesus will return to take a chosen few to heaven, leaving the rest behind.

There will be bliss for a few and grief for the many – the "left behind." Brides will be abandoned at the altar, families will mourn loved ones taken from them, while the rest of the world, now deemed evil, is left to suffer. In one scene, hundreds of airline passengers are screaming to their deaths while one of the pilots – being among the saved – is "raptured" and escapes.

For people weary of the pain and evil in the world, the Left Behind series can seem like a source of consolation. It encourages them to "stay the course," "don’t give up," and assures them that "good will triumph."

You can hear the same concerns even among Jesus’ disciples. They also had questions: "Who’s in? Who’s out?" Today’s Gospel captures their anxiety in the question they ask Jesus: "Lord, will only a few be saved?" The question suggests that they, too, were dismayed and disappointed by the state of the world. Some today might echo their feelings: "The world is going to hell in a hand basket."

Their question also implies that they think they are among the few chosen. Like the Left Behind books, they assume that most will be cast off. Maybe they want Jesus to preach a strong message of hellfire and damnation – to shake people up and scare them into turning to God.

In the Left Behind series, after the Rapture, there are seven years of intense tribulation – ruled by Antichrist regimes, nuclear war, famine, and plagues.

Then – as now – fear is often used as a way to get people to "shape up." But is that how we think the Prince of Peace will return? (Later in the liturgical year, especially in November, we’ll hear Scriptures about the Second Coming.) But we must ask: Would God want the horrors described in the Left Behind books? Do we really believe only Christians will be saved? (Our Church does not teach that.) What about Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, and others?

What kind of relationship with God would it be if it were based on fear rather than love?

So when the disciples ask if only a few will be saved, Jesus doesn’t give a number. Instead, he redirects the question back to them. Their concern shouldn’t be about others – it should be about their own lives. Membership and proximity to Jesus – eating with him, hearing his teachings – do not guarantee entry into God’s kingdom.

In effect, Jesus says, "If you think you are first, you may find yourselves last." And, "You’ll be surprised who will enter through the narrow gate."

At this point in the Gospel, Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem. "He passed through towns and villages…" We know how this journey ends. We know that God will overcome evil – not by force or destruction, but through the cross of Christ. Through suffering and seeming defeat, Jesus’ love and fidelity to God reconcile and save the world.

Perhaps the "narrow gate" Jesus speaks of – the one he tells us to strive to enter – is the difficult but essential call to continue loving, even those who hurt or repel us. That’s what Jesus did. So what of the future? In a way, it has already been decided: Peace is stronger than violence.

Jesus puts the question before us: Will we choose the narrow gate of love, or the wide road of fear and retribution?

Scaring the hell out of people sells 40 million books and makes for a best-seller. But God has chosen another path. God has entered our world through the narrow gate of love – and has flung it wide open for us to enter, too.

JUSTICE BULLETIN BOARD

Isaiah 66:18

When I was in middle school, I learned that America was considered a melting pot of different nationalities. It was something to be proud of because sociologists of the day thought it made us a stronger country, open to new ideas and viewpoints that we might not have otherwise considered. Life was hard for most immigrants coming to this brave new world, but, if you were healthy, at least the door was open to a better life (the exception being our brothers and sisters who were forced here by slavery). Today, we are not such an open nation. Our antiquated immigration laws make entry a narrow gate and citizenship a daunting, expensive, and long process that can last for years. This is one of the great social problems of our country. As Pope Benedict XVI writes in Deus Caritas Est, " It is the Church's duty to shed light on the social questions of our time. The Church "cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice" (28).

The USCCB Administrative Committee writes, "What is clearly true, and what the Church and many others have called for, is the urgent need for a comprehensive reform of our country’s immigration system. The U.S. immigration system is overly complex and unjust, often keeping family members apart; it must be fixed" (March 17, 2022.) To read the Catholic elements of immigration reform, go to: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/immigration/churchteachingonimmigrationreform

As Catholic Christians, we must look at this issue from God’s perspective. God considers us one big family, God’s family. God doesn’t want walls (or fences) between His children; the earth is given as the inheritance of all. For some, this may seem to be a new world view and yet, one only has to read Genesis to know that this was the original intent. When you begin to wrap your mind around this perspective, you will find God touching your heart. What can you do to make a difference?

You can call, email or make an appointment with your representative in his or her office, or attend town hall meetings in your district to show your support for comprehensive immigration reform to provide streamlined, affordable, legal paths to citizenship.

Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral’s Justice for Immigrants Ministry addresses this issue. For more information, please see www.justiceforimmigrants.org , and contact Luisa Martin-Price at socialconcern@hnojnc.org  to join.

God is gathering the nations. Be there.

Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director

Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries

Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC

Jesus said,

"Strive to enter through the narrow gate,

for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter

but will not be strong enough."

The "narrow gate" is an image for Jesus’ way of living and his gift of himself so that we can follow that way. To forgive is a narrow gate; to serve by giving time and money for those in need is a narrow gate; to put aside my schedule and agenda to listen to another’s pain, is a narrow gate; to live a careful and frugal life, to have less so someone can have some, is a narrow gate; etc.

• What is the "narrow gate" I am being invited to enter at this time in my life?

• How is Jesus giving me courage and determination to move forward and enter?

POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES

Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you might consider becoming pen pals.

• John Mc Neil #0275678 (On death row since 11/10/1995)

• Stacey Tyler4 #0414853 (11/14/1995)

• Russell M. Tucker #0413011 (2/21/1995)

----Central Prison, P.O. 247, Phoenix, MD 21131

Please note: Central Prison is in Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a clearing house at the above address in Maryland.

If you would like to support this ministry, please Click Here.

St. Albert Priory,
3150 Vince Hagan Drive
Irving, Texas 75062-4736

Make checks payable to: Dominican Friars.

We have compiled Four CDs for sale:

• Individual CDs for each Liturgical Year, A, B or C.

• One combined CD for "Liturgical Years A, B and C.

If you are a preacher, lead a Lectionary-based scripture group, or are a member of a liturgical team, these CDs will be helpful in your preparation process. Individual worshipers report they also use these reflections as they prepare for Sunday liturgy.

You can order the CDs by going to our webpage: https://www.PreacherExchange.com and clicking on the "First Impressions" CD link on the left.