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Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.’ And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
Reflection
As a pastoral theology student, I served as a chaplain in a psychiatric hospital in the summer of 1993. My assignment was the forensic psych ward, a locked section for the criminally insane.
Kevin, a tall, dark and handsome inmate met me at the door as I entered the locked unit that first day. He immediately asked if he could say a prayer for my safety. My face likely spoke of the insecurity I felt among the “evildoers,” wondering if I could possibly be a ministerial presence without grinding my teeth.
I never really came to know what difficulties, what horrendous “towns and villages” Kevin passed through in his previous life. Yet, I surmised that wherever he was from and with whomever he kept company, some illegal pursuits became his undoing.
Misconduct grew into more deviant behavior and eventually to criminal activity and his arrest. The legal system recognized and accessed his mental health and sentenced him to a psychiatric treatment center where rehab was possible and a sense of dignity could be restored. Providence, in my estimation, was at work.
A huge turning point for Kevin was the profound experience of God’s love and forgiveness revealed to him while in what could have felt like a God forsaken forensic ward. Merciful God blessed this “evildoer” enough to trust an inner strength and rely on the healing presence of God.
The long-term chaplain on the ward, a remarkable instrument of God’s grace, encouraged Kevin to strive for reentry into society and entrance through the narrow gate. The chaplain wore love, mercy and justice on his sleeve and in his heart.
God was at work. Rehabilitation was gradually happening; men were regaining some semblance of personal dignity. I continue to pray God will know where they came from. I hope they won’t ever be standing outside the locked door of heaven pleading, “Lord, open the door for us.”
Kevin confidently addressed me at summer’s end: “Chaplain, we’re going to meet again. I’ll see you at the heavenly banquet table. I’m going to be there smiling and waving at you.” May it be so! As for me, I’m not wailing or grinding my teeth about getting through the narrow gate and sitting at that banquet table. However, I dare not be complacent about it either.
My faith heritage, religious affiliation and a “Sister” title are not enough. Parts of me are still locked up and waiting for God’s healing presence. Perhaps you can identify with this need.
Kevin, once regarded as one of the last and the least, reminded me to pray for each another. Maybe that tall, dark and handsome young man is still praying for himself, for me, for you to be safe and whole at last.
“For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Let’s make it a point to wave at one another when we get through the narrow gate and recline at the banquet table. Until then, instruments of God’s grace, wear love, mercy and justice on your sleeve and in your heart.
Action
Where do you see yourself today — just today — being an instrument of God’s grace? Name those who have been instruments of God’s grace in your life when you experienced bondage of some sort.
Ask for the grace to be merciful and forgiving of others who have committed crimes, especially if they have done great harm to you or one you love. Let’s pray for all those who stand knocking at the gate this day.
Sister Mary Mundy is the fourth generation of the Mundy family who is a Sister of Providence. When first generation, Theresa, professed vows in 1875, three of our founding Sisters were still alive. It's no wonder that Sister Mary, who entered the congregation in 1964, has a great love for this congregation. She presently ministers as a Pastoral Associate at Holy Rosary Parish in Evansville, Indiana, and enjoys involvement with associates in the local Providence Associates Circle.
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Thank you for this reflection, Mary. It is a reminder for me to not be complacent, either.