Gospel in Art: Lord, will those who are saved be few?

Philosopher with a Mirror (possibly Socrates) Jusepe de Ribera workshop © Meadows Museum, SMU, Dallas. AlgurHMeadows Collection MM.65.35

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 24 August 2025
Luke 13:22-30

At that time: Jesus went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying towards Jerusalem. And someone said to him, 'Lord, will those who are saved be few?' And he said to them, 'Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, "Lord, open to us", then he will answer you, "I do not know where you come from." Then you will begin to say, "We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets." But he will say, "I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!" In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.'

Reflection on the painting

Having questions is not a sign of weak faith, it is actually part of the journey. Genuine belief will always stir up big questions, the kind that don't have neat, tidy answers in this life. Saint Paul once said that right now we see "as in a mirror, dimly", meaning that our understanding is partial, incomplete. Faith is about living with those mysteries and still trusting God in the midst of them. In the gospels, people are always coming to Jesus with questions, and today's reading is no different. Someone asks Him, "Will only a few be saved?" The man had heard Jesus speak of God's kingdom and wondered if it was an exclusive club so to speak. Was it for a select few or for the many? A good, fair question.

When Jesus is asked something, He often responds in a way that goes much deeper than the question itself. In this case, His answer ends with a striking image: people will come from the east and west, the north and south, to share in the banquet of God's kingdom. In other words, heaven's guest list is far wider than anyone imagined. The patriarchs-Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-will be joined by people from every corner of the earth, just as Isaiah had foretold. So the banquet will be filled with people from all corners off the earth, but also from all ages and times. In John's gospel, Jesus describes His Father's house as having "many rooms", another picture of radical welcome. And as today's gospel concludes, Jesus turns expectations upside down: "The last will be first." Those the world thinks don't belong to the heavenly banquet may well be given the place of honour. God's love is bigger, broader, and deeper than any of us can comprehend.

As I mentioned, Saint Paul once said that right now we see "as in a mirror, dimly". In our painting, attributed to the workshop of Jusepe de Ribera, we meet a philosopher, possibly Socrates, gazing into a mirror. His clothes are torn and worn, hinting that what matters to him lies far beyond outward appearances. The mirror in his hand becomes more than a tool for vanity; it is a symbol of his search for deeper truths. When we look into the mirror of faith, and ask ourselves questions, we are not meant to be trapped in self-reflection alone, but to see ourselves as God sees us: beloved, sought after, called. One day, Paul says, the dim reflection will give way to seeing God "face to face." Until then, our torn garments and unanswered questions are not signs of failure, no, they are reminders that our truest treasure is yet to come.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-13-22-30-2025/