'Will there be only a few saved?' The question asked of Jesus in today's Gospel was the subject of many a learned debate in the rabbinical schools; it is a question that has occurred to most of us at some time. But it is the wrong question that Jesus refuses to answer it. The question that should be asked is not how many are saved but how does one attain salvation? Jesus' answer to this question is direct and simple: the door to salvation is a narrow one and only those who are prepared to make a serious effort will enter it.

In the parable the door is already locked and there are people outside trying to get in but it is too late. Their urgent appeals fall on deaf ears; the master of the house denies any acquaintance with them. The message of the parable is that entry to the kingdom of Jesus cannot be gained on the basis of any purely external connection with Him. The only thing that matters is the quality of one's personal life and commitment - love.

Love shows itself in deeds rather than in words. Jesus tells us quite clearly: "If you love me, keep my commandments". Unless we are seriously trying to do this, we are simply deluding ourselves. So in sincerity and truth we must seek God - love.

Just as Isaiah tells us that the Lord is coming to gather the people of all the nations, so too does Jesus speak of people coming from the four corners of the earth to enter the Kingdom of God.