I know the reason for this ethnic similarity. Our parents and grandparents all came from Central Europe because of the unsettled social conditions at that time.

How different all this sounds when one considers the ethnic groups, say in Los Angeles or indeed in any metropolitan where one may find a dozen or more single ethnic groups worshiping at the same church. Our times were obviously different, but interesting, nonetheless.

Interestingly, Catechism classes, were not taught in school, probably because the teacher also happened to be a Lutheran; moreover catechism was taught in our own church during summer vacation! No problem, therefore, of the intermingling of church and state in those times.

Nevertheless, it never occurred to those of us who were Catholic that our young Lutheran friends would not be “saved” as we, obviously would be!! Any question of salvation for our non-Catholic friends was out of the question. It was simply assumed, Thank God, we did not even know how to ask the “salvation” question.

The reason I brought up the ethnic question is because both the first reading and the gospel for this Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time concern the issue of who is “saved” and who is not “saved.”

The first reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah must have seemed a rather astonishing prediction to any Jew within listening range. God, who is speaking through the words of the prophet Isaiah predicts that in days to come people from all over the Middle East and even from Africa and surrounding countries will gather in Jerusalem to glorify the Lord God along with the “chosen” people.

Throughout much of Jewish history the people of Israel imagined themselves a people, chosen and set apart by God to be saved. Hence, Isaiah’s prediction must have disturbed at least the more conservative elements in the population. Being a respected prophet, however, he could get away with that.

The gospel repeats the same theme of inclusion. The apostles, as always, have questions for Jesus. This time it was the same question people of our time often ask: Who will be saved? Initially, Jesus replies that only a few will pass through the narrow gate, but then he modifies that response by repeating all that Isaiah of old had said: “People from the East, South, North and West will take heir place at the feast of the kingdom of God, whereas many of Jesus’ own people will be left looking in from the outside.” It is a reference here to the long Israelite history of disobedience to the divine law, the Torah.

The implication here in Jesus words is that those who have been instructed in the Law of God will be held to greater responsibility than those who have never heard the word of God. So, we can draw two conclusions from these passages. Those who claim to be part of God’s kingdom will need to show responsibility in keeping the law.
Those who are not instructed in God’s law will have an equal chance of salvation. In other words, faith brings with it a moral responsibility.

Given all that I have said, I must say that I do not know whether my Lutheran schoolmates were instructed in catechism. All I know is that they were nice kids. I have no doubt that some day I will meet them in heaven if I myself can show that I have been faithful to the Christian tradition handed on to me.

Scripture: Isaiah 66:14-20; Hebrews 12: 5-7, 11-13; Luke 13: 22-30