Father Nicolas Schwizer
In the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament, the gathering of all nations, languages and races into one chosen people is announced. In the New Testament, Jesus tells his countrymen that foreigners will come from the North, the South, the East and the West… to sit at the table of the Kingdom of God.
This universality of God’s salvation still leaves us without knowing anything about the number of those to be saved. It is enough for us to know that God calls everyone, that the door which leads to the Kingdom is narrow and can close at anytime. What is most important is the conversion to the Gospel. Everything else is simply curiosity which distracts us dangerously.
The Gospel is salvation for those who listen to it responsibly, be they or not descendants of Abraham or Catholics from birth. To listen responsibly to the Gospel is to live it and to practice it in daily life.
And this is nothing easy. Therefore, Jesus says that the door is narrow and that only those who strive will enter through it into the Kingdom of God.
It is not enough to listen to sermons or to go to Mass every Sunday. Acts of piety are not what will save us. All of these things have their value, but only when they help us and motivate us to live our faith in daily life: in our personal and family life, our social and professional life, our life in politics…..
On the last day, the Lord will recognize only those who here and now recognize Him in mankind. To recognize Jesus in mankind is to recognize the dignity of each human being, to respect his/her rights, to be aware of his/her needs and, above all, to be in solidarity with the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed. Whatever we do for one of these, we do it for the Lord himself.
“The last will be first and the first will be last.” The great Judgement Day will come, and then the implacable surprise will come on the many who thought they were the true Christians.
And these who considered themselves the first will say: “Lord, open the door for us.” And the Lord will answer them: “I do not know who you are.” And they will begin to say: “We have eaten your bread and drank your blood, your Gospel has been preached in our churches.” But the remembrance of all these religious practices will be of no use – if they are not accompanied by the truly decisive proof in justice: from love for others, especially to those most in need.
The great Judgement Day will come and happily will also come the surprise about many men and women from the East, West, North and South. They are those who practiced in the world the Christian message of love. Therefore, the Lord will open the door to them, He will sit them at his table and will say to them: “Come, blessed of my Father, the Kingdom is yours…..
Because I was hungry and you fed Me; I was thirsty and you gave me to drink; I was a pilgrim and you sheltered Me…”
Frequently, the first for God are the last for mankind…..because God does not judge according to appearances, He looks at the heart.
There is an official Christianity which is good when it authentically expresses in words and deeds the attitudes of faith, hope and love – but it is vain hypocrisy when it is not this way. However, there is another nameless Christianity, anonymous, which does not express itself in rituals and words, but achieves in life the message of Christ.
Christian truth is eminently practical. It consists in the conversion of mankind toward a new order in which there is justice, peace, fraternity and love. The men and women who work for these values will be saved and will ascend to the first places.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us strive so that God can find us also among them, and allows us to enter his Heavenly Kingdom.
Questions for reflection
1. How do I live my Christianity during the week?
2. What are the things I do for those most in need?
3. Is my Christianity noticeable in my work environment, family environment…?