WILL I GO TO HEAVEN?

We are taught that it is a place—or better, a state—where, in the presence of God, every longing of the human heart finds fulfillment. It is the state of perfect happiness. The Bible portrays this in many ways: it is where Lazarus is poor no longer, resting in the bosom of Abraham (Lk 16:22). It is where God wipes away every tear, where there will be no more death, mourning, wailing, or pain (Rev 21:4). More often, heaven is described as a banquet or feast, as in today’s Gospel, where people take their places with the patriarchs and prophets—all faithful servants of God.

One of the most important questions we ask ourselves, then, is: Will I go to heaven? Or, echoing the person who asked Jesus, “Will only a few people be saved?” This question reflects the deep human longing for salvation after this earthly life, a desire so universal that almost all religions promise some form of it.

But who will be saved?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus answers through a parable, warning against relying on ascription—that is, salvation by status or kinship ties. The Jews may be the chosen people, children of Abraham, but this does not guarantee them entry into the Kingdom. In the Parable of the Narrow Door, Jesus shifts the measure of worth from ascription to performance. The true disciple is not merely one who hears God’s word but one who also puts it into practice, bearing the fruit of repentance and good deeds.

This warning extends to our own time. Some groups promise salvation only to their members, denying it to those outside. Others preach that belonging to a certain community or church is enough. But Jesus teaches otherwise.

To the question of whether only a few will be saved, Jesus paints a picture of a great multitude—people from east and west, from north and south—gathering for the heavenly banquet. Luke draws from the Old Testament image of the return of the Jews from exile (Is 43:5; Zec 8:7), and expands it to include the Gentiles, underscoring the theme of universal salvation.

This inclusion of the Gentiles does not mean the rejection of the Jews. Paul insists: “Has God rejected his people? Of course not!” (Rom 11:1). God does not withdraw His gifts to Israel—the law, worship, covenant, promises, the patriarchs, and even the Messiah Himself. But Jesus challenges the Jews, especially their leaders, to let go of the false assurance that their status as “sons of the kingdom” guarantees salvation. The Kingdom must be welcomed with gratitude and humility, as God’s gift, not as an entitlement.

The same applies today. Christians cannot rely on “automatic” salvation by membership or affiliation. We must strive to enter through the narrow door—the path of humility and loving service of God and neighbor. As the prophet Micah says: “To do justice, to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Mic 6:8).

21th Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 24)

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