Christ passes through the villages (Notes)

Saint Luke - Chapter 13

Jesus at Bethany, passing through the villages. J-J Tissot

[22] Et ibat per civitates et castella, docens, et iter faciens in Jerusalem.
And he went through the cities and towns teaching, and making his journey to Jerusalem.

[23] Ait autem illi quidam : Domine, si pauci sunt, qui salvantur? Ipse autem dixit ad illos :
And a certain man said to him: Lord, are they few that are saved? But he said to them:

Then said one unto Him, Lord, are there few that be saved? Christ answered in the affirmative that few should be saved, as S. Luke signifies and S. Matt, plainly states, 7:14. Isaiah speaks to the same effect, 10:22; 24:13. Understand “few” by a comparison of all the inhabitants of the whole world; or of the faithful with the unbelieving, for all the latter are condemned for their unbelief, and equally many of the faithful for their wicked lives. The faithful alone are saved, and not all of these. But whether the greater number of them are saved or lost is the question. Some think that the greater number are saved, through the holy sacraments (which very many of them only receive at the end of their lives). Others think that most are lost because they live in a state of mortal sin. The rule of S. Augustine is that as men have lived, so they die. Of these opinions I have shown which is the true one, on S. James 2:13, on the words “Mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” The judgment of S. Chrysostom, Homily xl. to the Antiochenes, who numbered 100,000 or more, is formidable. “In our city,” he says, “among so many thousands, scarcely can 100 be found who will be saved, for in the youngers is great wickedness, and in the elders deadness.” And S. Augustine (Bk. iv. ch. 53, against Dresconius) compares the Church to a threshing-floor, on which there is much more chaff than grain, i.e. more reprobate than elect.

[24] Contendite intrare per angustam portam : quia multi, dico vobis, quaerent intrare, et non poterunt.
Strive to enter by the narrow gate; for many, I say to you, shall seek to enter, and shall not be able.

[25] Cum autem intraverit paterfamilias, et clauserit ostium, incipietis foris stare, et pulsare ostium, dicentes : Domine, aperi nobis : et respondens dicet vobis : Nescio vos unde sitis :
But when the master of the house shall be gone in, and shall shut the door, you shall begin to stand without, and knock at the door, saying: Lord, open to us. And he answering, shall say to you: I know you not, whence you are.

[26] tunc incipietis dicere : Manducavimus coram te, et bibimus, et in plateis nostris docuisti.
Then you shall begin to say: We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

[27] Et dicet vobis : Nescio vos unde sitis : discedite a me omnes operarii iniquitatis.
And he shall say to you: I know you not, whence you are: depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

[28] Ibi erit fletus et stridor dentium : cum videritis Abraham, et Isaac, et Jacob, et omnes prophetas in regno Dei, vos autem expelli foras.
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

[29] Et venient ab oriente, et occidente, et aquilone, et austro, et accumbent in regno Dei.
And there shall come from the east and the west, and the north and the south; and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

Totus tuus ego sum 

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:
Ad Jesum per Mariam