Homily – 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Children’s Liturgy Questions are Found at the Bottom of the Page

My brothers and sisters in Christ, today we hear powerful words that invite us to reflect on the meaning of salvation. God is calling us to be serious about our faith and to live as true disciples. The message is not about fear but about responsibility and hope. It tells us that eternal life is open for all, but it requires our personal choice and commitment to walk faithfully with God.

In the First Reading: Isaiah 66:18–21, God speaks through the prophet Isaiah and promises to gather people from all nations. His love is not limited to one race or one people; it is universal. God wants everyone to see His glory and to share in His kingdom. This teaches us that the Church is a home for all. Our faith should not make us proud or closed in, but open and welcoming. Each one of us is called to be a missionary, showing God’s love to others in word and action.

In the Second Reading, the letter to the Hebrews 12:5–7, 11–13, reminds us that God sometimes allows us to experience discipline, like a father correcting his child. At first, discipline feels painful, but later it produces growth, peace, and holiness. This is an important lesson for our spiritual life. Challenges, difficulties, or even suffering are not signs that God has abandoned us. Instead, they can be opportunities for us to grow stronger in faith and to learn patience, humility, and trust in God’s plan.

The Gospel of Luke 13:22–30 gives us the main challenge of today: Jesus tells us to “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” Many will try to enter but will not succeed, because they were not truly living the faith. Some people will say, “We ate and drank with You,” but Jesus will say, “I do not know where you are from.” It is not enough to say, “I know Jesus,” or “I go to church and I pray every day or sometimes. Now let us reflect on what it means when we hear about        ” The narrow gate? The narrow gate is a life of prayer, honesty, service, forgiveness, and love. It requires effort, sacrifice, and faithfulness. Choosing the easy way—the wide gate—leads us away from God. The narrow gate is not meant to frighten us but to guide us. It shows us that following Jesus is serious commitment, but it is also rewarding, because it leads to eternal life.

Dear friends, these readings invite us to ask ourselves: Am I living my faith only in name, or am I living it in action? Am I walking through the narrow gate, even when it is difficult? God is inviting each of us today to a deeper, more authentic relationship with Him. He does not want us to delay or to take His call lightly. Salvation is God’s gift, but it also depends on how we respond in our daily lives. Let us remember that God’s kingdom is open for all, but the way is narrow and requires commitment. Let us welcome others with love, accept the trials of life with faith, and walk daily with Christ. If we remain faithful, one day we will hear the most beautiful words from God saying: “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.”                         (Mathew 25:23). May this Sunday be a moment of renewal for us all, to choose the narrow gate and to walk with Jesus in love and truth. Amen.

20 questions with answers for young Catholic children, based on Catholic teaching: YES or NO

About God

1. Is there one God? – Yes
2. Did God make heaven and earth? – Yes
3. Can we see God with our eyes? – No
4. Does God love us? – Yes

About Jesus
5. Is Jesus the Son of God? – Yes
6. Was Jesus born in Bethlehem? – Yes
7. Did Jesus teach people about God’s love? – Yes
8. Did Jesus stay in the tomb forever after He died? – No
9. Did Jesus rise from the dead? – Yes

About the Holy Spirit
10. Is the Holy Spirit God? – Yes
11. Does the Holy Spirit help us to pray? – Yes

About the Church
12. Is the Catholic Church the family of God? – Yes
13. Do we pray only when we are in church? – No
14. Is the Pope the leader of the Catholic Church on earth? – Yes

About the Sacraments
15. Do we become children of God in Baptism? – Yes
16. Do we receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist? – Yes
17. Is Confirmation a sacrament? – Yes
18. Do we go to Confession to ask God for forgiveness? – Yes

About Christian Life
19. Should we love and obey our parents? – Yes
20. Is Sunday a holy day for Catholics to go to Mass? – Yes