Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Luke (13: 22-30), in which Jesus says, “There are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”.

Jesus is now on his way to Jerusalem. He is half-way through his journey towards the Passion – his arrest, torture and death. As Jesus passes through the village’s he again stresses how difficult it is to enter the Kingdom.

The synoptic Gospels – Mark, Matthew and Luke – stress the narrowness of the door and the reluctance of the disciples, even the Twelve, to believe, let alone to accept the tough message of the cross.

But Luke insists, don’t sit back in contentment because we have been called, or we might find the door slammed in our face.

Have faith – Christ will triumph and people will come from all points of the compass and relax at the table in the Kingdom.

Fr Paul asks us to reflect, Do I have faith to accept the tough message of the cross in my own life?