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Today’s Gospel begins with Jesus accepting an invitation to dine with one of the leading Pharisees. During this gathering, Jesus shares a teaching inspired by His observations that challenges the conventional understanding of social status. He emphasizes a reversal of worldly status through humility. But what exactly did Jesus mean by humility?

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Luke’s Gospel is very typical of Jesus style. We have read events where Jesus takes an accepted view, custom, or perception and reinterprets into something different. Often when Jesus is asked a question, he invites the questioner into a deeper meaning. What exactly did Jesus mean when he talks about the narrow gate. Let’s look further. Jesus asks if many will be saved. Likely behind that question is the more personal question, Will I be saved? The question is a result of the individual’s uncertainty and maybe a bit of fear. Unfortunately for many, the cornerstone of their faith is rooted in fear that they will be judged as not meeting to what they perceive as God’s demanding and arbitrary standards. No wonder they find loving God difficult or their relationship with Him irrelevant.

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This passage might seem surprising—even unsettling. Here, we don’t see the serene, peaceful Jesus, but instead a passionate figure intensely devoted to his mission and faith. I believe Jesus is speaking metaphorically when he refers to fire—using it to symbolize the fervor and intensity he expects in our faith lives. He was not passionate about a lukewarm faith. In Revelation 3:14-16, Jesus rebukes the church in Laodicea precisely for their half-hearted devotion.

Jesus knew faith wasn’t always going to bring peace. History is full of conflicts between religious groups, and even today, faith can stir up internal struggles as we grapple with conscience and the demands of modern life. Jesus even warns of conflict within families—something that, sadly, many of us know: religious convictions can unite, but also divide families. Feeling unsupported by loved ones can be especially painful.

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In this Gospel we learn that the Father is pleased to give you the kingdom, this is incredible! The kingdom is given, not earned but a free gift. This is not the only such reference, in Luke 13:29 we read that "people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God,". Jesus says this before his death and resurrection. God knows that love cannot be forced nor develop in fear. This is the Good News!

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We have someone asking Jesus to help settle his case, to judge the merits of an inheritance dispute. Jesus does not take the bait and makes it clear to the individual that he is not here to judge. This is a valuable reminder to people who so often see God as one who judges and punishes. Jesus is very clear about his role.

Jesus tells a parable of a man with a bountiful harvest who decides to store his grain and live well for a few years. No one can blame him for wanting to take it easy. He is given an opportunity, and he takes it, what then is the issue? Actually, there are several issues.

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The disciples of Jesus note that John the Baptist has taught his disciples to pray. They had likely seen Jesus pray or go off to a lonely place to pray so they are curious. Jesus gives them direction and insight into prayer. These “instructions” have become a prayer, the well know Lord’s Prayer or the Our Father.

Prayer is very important for growth in our spiritual life. Before I talk about prayer, I invite you to reflect on why you want to pray. My second question is related; how do you know that you have been praying? Finally, what are the obstacles to your prayer life?

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Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus were friends of Jesus and they are frequently mentioned in the Gospels. We don’t have any record of anythng that Lazarus said but he is one of the three people in the Gospels that Jesus raised from the dead. The biblical record identifies these three explicit resurrection miracles performed by Jesus before his own resurrection.

The story of Mary and Martha has often been used to justify the position that contemplation is more important than service. I am not sure that is the most accurate interpretation.

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In today’s Gospel Jesus is asked by a lawyer what must he do to inherit eternal life. The question is direct and honest, unlike many of the questions of the Pharisees and Sadducees that are often multi layered and are intended to trap Jesus rather learn from him. Jesus answers directly by asking him about the Law. This was understandable as the man was a lawyer. The man goes further and asks Jesus who is his neighbour. Jesus answers him with a parable that has become one of the most well-known of all his parables, the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Jesus mentions that a priest and Levite walked by and did not help. You would expect them to help you. But they did not. As a priest I am saddened, likely they did not want to touch him as his blood would make them ritually unclean. It is disappointing that their self-concern prevented them from offering to help the man in need.

The biggest shock of all to the first listeners would be the man who helped him was a Samaritan. I am sure this shocked many people.

I recognize that the decision to help is not as straight forward and that helping can be inconvenient and sometimes will cost us. Living this parable may not be as easy as we would like. Sometime we have to put boundaries and limits around how we can help