Today's first reading from the prophet Isaiah is a challenge to the Jewish people to be a light to the nations.  It is an invitation to draw all peoples to share in the glory of God.  Some of the Jewish people were convinced that they would be saved simply because they were the descendants of Abraham.  The prophet Isaiah urged his people to become a light to the nations.  His vision was that the Jewish people could, through their example, draw all the nations to share in the glory of the Lord.

      In the Creed we profess that there are four marks of the Church.  It is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.  It is the Catholic Church in so far as it is universal.  Our Church is the pledge of salvation for all men and women from every nation and walk of life.  The Church offers everyone the truth of the gospel and the support of the sacraments in order that they might share in the joy of God's kingdom. 

      Jesus teaches that we must enter through the narrow gate.  It is not enough to say we belong to the Church, we literally must become the Church.  We must become Christ for one another.  Today the Lord reminds us that the people who come into the kingdom of God may not be the ones we expect.  "Some who are last will be first and some who are first will be last."  That is why it is so important that we work at this together.  How sad if we cannot share eternity with God and those we knew and loved here on earth .