[Jesus] went on His way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to Him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. . . . And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Luke 13:22–24, 29–30
The Gospel of Christ is God’s invitation to salvation and eternal life. Cards or letters of invitation occasionally end with the eloquent phrase from the French language abbreviated only with the letters RSVP, signaling that the sender wishes to know for how many to plan in attendance. (Of course, we may presume God already knows that final number!) But to receive an RSVP invitation requires a response. Today, Jesus issues the invitation to the Kingdom asking all to “strive to enter.” Surprisingly, the response or effort required is simply to receive the benefit of our Lord’s own work on our behalf. You enter the open, narrow door through Baptism into the death of Christ. The baptismal life is a striving to die and rise daily by faith in the way of the cross of Christ. Through the door of the Eucharist we are nourished and faith is strengthened and sustained by Christ’s body and blood. This eating and drinking is necessary for the struggle of faith. Here today you continue your RSVP, entering the door who is Christ by the power of your Holy Baptism.
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