of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2024 WEEK THIRTY – ORDINARY TIME

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2024 WEEK THIRTY – ORDINARY TIME

THE CLOSED DOOR (LK 13:22-30)

Prayer:

O Jesus, you are my Lord and Saviour.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus with His disciples.

Context:

By this parable, Jesus confronts his hearers. They understand, all too well, what He means. He comes to their villages, preaches in their streets and eats with them. Yet, they do not accept his claims and cannot enter the Kingdom. Others, who never enjoyed the privilege of being near Jesus, will come from afar and enter the kingdom.

Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those that attract you.)

  1. The man has a serious question about the number to be saved.
  2. Jesus responds that the gate is narrow and many will not be able to enter the Kingdom (an answer which all need to hear).
  3. In fact, once the door is closed, no one can enter.
  4. The people who were locked out had no significant relationship to the master.
  5. They only “ate and drank” with Jesus and heard him “preach in their streets.”
  6. They are strangers. The master doesn’t even know where they are from.
  7. The consequences are stark. They are locked out while many from distant lands are inside.
  8. They missed what they could have had so easily.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • O Jesus, I so much want to be saved.
  • Jesus, I will enter while the door is still open.
  • I will not stay outside, enjoying my false freedoms.
  • Jesus, my superficial religious practices are not enough.
  • Conform me to your image. Then, you will know me.
  • Your voice breaks through my deafness. Your light enters my darkness. You say, “Come and know me.”
  • Someday, someday, Jesus, I will dine with you forever.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ I will never take my salvation for granted.

+ I will accept these warnings. They are needed helps for my salvation.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)