Again from Abruzzo, Italy, Fr. Jimmy looks at Jesus' injunction to enter through the narrow gate in light of the first reading from Isaiah—that God came to gather people from every nation—concluding that the narrow gate is to have a broad minded view of inclusivity. We are not to have a narrow view of who is saved in our church, nor allow a narrow nationalism in our country—a challenging perspective to maintain!
### Chapter Timestamps:
Here's a chapter breakdown for this second homily:
YouTube Chapter Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction and Setting
Welcome to "A Word of Hope"
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Father Jim Marchandre from Our Lady of Mercy Church, Abruzzo, Italy
00:26 - Today's Scripture Readings
Three powerful readings that work together
Isaiah, Hebrews, and Gospel of Luke
Focus on the Gospel question about salvation
00:41 - The Central Question
Someone asks Jesus: "Are there many who will be saved?"
Jesus's famous response: "Strive to enter through the narrow gate"
Setting up the day's main theme
01:02 - Common Misinterpretation
Many think "narrow gate" means only one way to think
Especially restrictive interpretations in churches
Father Jim challenges this limited perspective
01:17 - Isaiah's Broader Vision
First reading reveals God's true intention
"I come to gather nations of every language"
God includes all nations, not just select groups
01:50 - God's Radical Inclusion
How broad God's sense of inclusion truly is
All nations included in God's kingdom
Not narrow-minded exclusion but universal embrace
02:22 - Challenge to Modern Thinking
Warning against narrow nationalism
Global awareness over narrow perspectives
Global responsibilities over isolationism
02:44 - Redefining the Narrow Gate
The paradox: narrow gate = broad-mindedness
True discipleship includes all peoples and nations
Care for entire world and everything in it
03:15 - Call to Action
Rethink what "narrow gate" means today
Apply this to both church and country
Reject narrow-minded nationalism as life motivation
03:26 - Final Challenge
Accept God's reality that includes all nations
Embrace perspective bigger than nationalism
Live beyond the limitations of narrow thinking
03:45 - Closing Blessing