The gospel today ends with a binary choice, those who accept the word and those who do not. Some people, in a well intentioned attempt to focus on God's love, wish to believe that in the end all will be saved. What they are forgetting is that while God's love is great, like all real love, it respects the dignity and the freedom of the other.
If there is no hell, and heaven is the only possibility for everyone, then there is no real or ultimate freedom. There is no choice about the most important aspect of our lives.
At the center of our understanding of the human person is our belief that one of, if not the most important attributes of being human is that freedom to choose. God loves every human being but for there to be a real relationship, that love must be freely accepted and returned.
While the Latin text of the consecratory prayer has not changed, the English translation is changing. The new text will read:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT, FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
This phrase "pro multis" (for many) reflects the text in Matthew's gospel. It reminds us that there are those who freely choose not to except God's love. Is it an uncomfortable phrase? Yes, because it reminds us of an uncomfortable truth.
Rather than trying to deny this truth, disguise it, or run away from it, the discomfort should compel us to action. If we accept the truth that there are people who are choosing a path that leads to destruction, even some people who we love, perhaps we will be disturbed enough by that thought that we will be moved to reach out, to offer example, and advice. And even when our advice is not heeded we should continue to pray for those whose lives have gone off the path. While the choice is ultimately theirs, we should never give up hope, or faith in the power of prayer.
