Salvation

Someone asked Jesus, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” (Luke 13:23).

            Some time ago, I was out on my day off when I was approached by a man with a Bible who inquired "Have you been saved?" My reply, "I hope so", baffled him. "Don't you know?" he asked. "You can be sure when Jesus becomes your personal savior". I responded that while Jesus was my personal savior, complete fellowship with him remained a future Hope. During my life, I constantly struggle against Sin. Only at the Final Judgment will my Salvation be certain. Clearly, our discussion shows how the word "Salvation" is often understood differently by Christians.

            In this passage from Luke, Jesus is asked if many individuals will be saved. His response does not specify a quantity but rather focuses on the process by which it happens.

            Within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament Salvation was the liberation of people from oppressive or distressing conditions. For Jews, the greatest example of such deliverance occurred when God freed the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. Yet, they also experienced Salvation when leaders such as Deborah and Samson drove out foreign nations who oppressed the people. While the accounts of these events provided Political and Military details, they also indicated it was the “Spirit of the Lord” who guided developments. During later times of distress, such as their Exile in Babylon, the Jewish people drew strength from their Hope in a future act of Divine Salvation. Christ’s teaching about Salvation shifted the focus to a more Spiritual dimension. He promised no liberation from the oppressive conditions imposed by the Romans. The distress experienced by everyone, including Jews, was caused by the reality of Sin in their lives. Questions about the number of saved people were distractions. Salvation involved more than incidental contact with Jesus at a dinner or in the street. Its achievement was not easy and only a few recognized the way to it. The path to Salvation started with acceptance of the need for the Redemption Christ gained by his Death on the Cross. There was no Salvation without a savior. This recognition committed Disciples to a life-long struggle against Sin. They carried their Cross behind their Savior. Despite its many demands, Salvation meant acknowledgment by Christ and entrance into the Celebration with God and all the Holy Ones at the end of time.

            Our world tends to see deliverance from oppressive or distressing conditions as an action which is self-generated and immediate. All that is necessary is to determine the causes of these Unjust situations and take action to alter them. Through Human effort, new Political, Economic and Social systems will be proposed and people will recognize their superiority over the former ones. This enhanced order will be established and individuals will be “saved” from their existing miseries. However, History demonstrates two problems with this approach: (1) Humans have yet to develop any Political, Economic or Social system which does not give some advantage to one group of people over another which eventually oppresses or causes distress to the weaker faction; and (2) change takes a long time to become meaningful as individuals cling to old attitudes and behaviors which means the struggle against oppression never ends. Catholics and other people of Faith understand these truths. Sin damages Human thoughts and actions. Christ’s actions made Salvation possible as the power Sin has over individuals can be overcome. But Human acts alone cannot achieve it. Salvation starts with acceptance of Jesus as one’s personal savior. It continues through a lifetime of struggle against Sin; the true source of human oppression which frequently includes many failures. With God’s help strengthening Human efforts, Disciples squeeze through the narrow door and arrive at their destination: Eternal Life. There liberation from all oppressive and distressing conditions will become permanent.

            Catholics can better live out their understanding of Salvation by focusing on the reasons why they undertake Spiritual Practices. Since Jesus died on the Cross to save us, prayer becomes an opportunity simply to spend time with him. Fasting becomes a way to encounter the sacrifice he made out of love for us. Charitable activities become a means to express that Love to others. Participating in the Way of the Cross helps us to recall his Passion and Death were events which actually happened and had a fundamental effect on our lives. Spiritual Devotions are tools which can enable us to remember what it means to be saved and why it is important. They also provide a powerful witness to others of how Jesus saved them as well.

            As my conversation with the man showed, Christians often have different understandings of the idea of Salvation. For Catholics, acceptance of Christ as one’s Savior is the start of a long journey which brings one liberation from all sources of suffering. While the trip may be difficult; the destination is worth it.

August 21, 2022