MANY WILL COME FROM THE EAST AND THE WEST
The Promise of Universal Salvation: From East to West
The concept of salvation extending “from east to west” is deeply rooted in Scripture and Church teaching. This universal call to holiness reflects God’s desire for all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4).
The promise of universal blessing begins with God’s covenant with Abraham: “All the families of the earth will find blessing in you” (Gen 12:3). This foundational promise sets the stage for God’s plan of salvation that would ultimately be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Throughout the Old Testament, we see glimpses of this universal call. The prophet Isaiah proclaims, “All may know, from the rising of the sun to its setting, that there is none besides me” (Isa 45:6). This imagery of east and west represents the entirety of creation, emphasizing that God’s salvation is meant for all peoples.
Jesus Christ, in His ministry, further emphasizes this universal call. In the Gospel of Luke, He speaks of people coming “from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God” (Luke 13:29). This powerful image of the eschatological banquet illustrates the inclusive nature of God’s kingdom, welcoming people from all corners of the earth.
The church, following Christ’s command, has always understood its mission as universal. Jesus instructed His apostles: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15). This Great Commission forms the basis of the Church’s evangelizing mission, calling all believers to participate in spreading the Good News.
The Second Vatican Council reaffirmed this universal call to holiness in its document ‘Lumen Gentium’, stating that “all the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity” (LG 40). This teaching emphasizes that the path to salvation is open to all, regardless of their origin or background.
However, this universal call also comes with responsibility. As Christians, we are called to live out our faith authentically and to be witnesses of Christ’s love in the world. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that “The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it” (CCC 1816).
REFLECTION
As followers of Christ, we are entrusted with a great responsibility and privilege. We are called to:
1. Live our faith authentically, embodying Christ’s love in our daily lives.
2. Recognize the dignity of all people as potential heirs to God’s kingdom.
3. Actively participate in the Church’s mission of evangelization, sharing the Good News with those around us.
4. Work towards unity and understanding among all peoples, recognizing our common call to salvation.
5. Pray for and support missionary efforts that bring the Gospel to the “east and west” of our world.
Let us remember that the Kingdom of God knows no geographical or cultural boundaries. As we journey through life, may we strive to be instruments of God’s universal love, helping to gather all people into the embrace of His saving grace. In doing so, we participate in the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and contribute to the building of God’s kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10).