August 24 th, 2025 (21 Sunday Ordinary C)

Dear brothers and sisters, to the question if only a few will be saved Christ says: “strive to enter through the narrow door.” Christ is going towards Jerusalem to give his life. Christ comes to fulfill today what Isaiah prophesied: “I come to gather all the nations, and I will place upon them a sign and they shall see my glory.” Christ calls everyone. Even the far distant islands and gentile places, to follow him to Jerusalem. Christ invites all of us to pass through this narrow gate which is to see how in the cross there is manifested for us the sign of God's immense love for us. In our cross through the gift of faith we experience Christ's resurrection, and we see his glory. Faith allows us to enter this banquet and this feast. Faith opens the door. Without faith the door remains shut and our life continues the same as before. Faith allows us also to go with Christ to Jerusalem and give our life. Faith gives to us the Holy Spirit and a new nature the same divine nature of Christ. Instead of running away from the cross taking the wide road that leads to destruction following the world we can enter like Christ this narrow path. The cross in fact makes us small and dependent on God. Through our cross we can see the glory of God in every event of suffering we experience and the faith we receive today as a gift allows us like Christ to enter into it, experiencing the total love of God for us.

Peace, Fr. Nicholas, Pastor