Sunday’s first reading (Isaiah 66: 18-21) marks an advance in the spiritual evolution of humankind. It moves us away from tribalism toward universalism, a recognition of common human rights, shared dignity, and mutual concern. Universalism should have begun with creation. All people are made in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1: 27), and all people carry the breath of God (Genesis 2: 7). The Tower of Babel story, however, informs us of humankind’s taste for tribalism (Genesis 11: 1-9). To jar people out of their tribal thinking, Isaiah proclaimed that some foreigners—Gentiles—will be ordained priests. This was shocking. Only those of the tribe of Levi, and then, only male descendants of Aaron (Moses’s brother) could be priests (Exodus 28: 1; Exodus 40: 12-15; Numbers 3: 1-10; Leviticus 8:1-14).
Universalism is at stake in the Gospel. It is “the narrow gate.” Someone asks Jesus whether only a few will be saved. The question is based on the idea of a remnant, a prophecy that only a small subset of God’s people will be saved (Isaiah 10: 21-22). Jesus turns the conversation back on the one asking the question. “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” Thinking universally is difficult. Only a great soul attributes dignity to everyone, respects everyone, accepts the journey each person is on. Most are not “strong enough.”
The opposite is particularism or tribalism, respecting only those who are the same as me. Particularism can be based on my religion, my race, my nation, my gender, my geographical roots. Look at the warning Luke issues to those sitting at the Lord’s Table. Those who remain caught in tribalism complain to the master of the house: we ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets. Could this be those who hear God’s Word and eat His Body and drink His Blood? How wrong it would be for those so graced to exclude others! After all, Jesus died for all humankind (1 Timothy 2: 4).
Universalism is the Way of Jesus Christ. Before his Passion, Jesus declares: “when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself” (John 12: 32; see also John 3: 14-15 and 8: 21-30). God’s final victory will be universal salvation (see Revelation 5: 9-10; 7: 9-10; 14:) 6-7; 15: 3-4). Contemplate Paul’s wonderful idea that God will be all in all (1 Corinthians 15: 28).
Fr. Bob Schmitz