There is an old – old story that is told about ten men who happened to be soldiers…
These soldiers had been locked in vicious battles for three years, and in one battle, all ten of them were killed.
All ten of them went up to the “pearly gates in heaven” to see Simon Peter who was the guardian of the gate into heaven.
Simon Peter met all ten and said, “It is good to see you men here today. I have been expecting you although you had not been expecting to see me.
Would you please have a seat in those ten chairs right outside of the pearly gates?
I will give you each a piece of paper, and a clip board, a pencil and please write the numbers one-to-ten on the paper.
All the big-burly-tough-soldiers, still in their military fatigues and splattered with mud and blood, did what they were each told to do. They obviously knew how to follow orders.
Peter then instructed them, Please answer “Yes” or “No” to these ten questions.
Question number one – did you love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and your neighbor as yourself? “
Yes or No”
The soldiers looked at each other, a little puzzled, not sure if they should be completely truthful or not. It didn’t seem wise to lie to old Saint Peter.
Peter said, the second commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain. Did you ever swear in your life or while being in the service?
The soldiers knowing their everyday vocabulary looked at each other quizzically.
The third commandment: “You shall remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Did you worship God on an ongoing and regular basis? Yes or No.
(The soldiers were becoming notably agitated and started squirming and looked very uncomfortable.)
The fourth commandment: Did you honor, love and respect your parents and all those in authority over you, at all times?
Uneasy giggles and laughter followed…
The fifth commandment: You shall not kill. Did you soldiers kill anyone? The soldiers knew their jobs for the last three years. How many people had they killed? Who knew? Who would keep track? It was a very bloody war.
St. Peter continued with his questions about the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth commandments, and the soldiers seemed to be slipping deeper and deeper into their melancholy.
Finally after asking all ten questions…the leader of the platoon raised his hand and asked St. Peter, “How many do you have to have correct to make it in the pearly gates?” The men all nodded in appreciation. The platoon leader continued asking the questions on behalf of all the men, “What if you only got two right, or three? Maybe four, is that good enough to get in?
Simon Peter with his steely gray eyes, looked right at the leader and spoke without a hint of hesitation: “I am afraid, You have to get them all right.” You have to get 100%. The soldiers reacted as you might have guessed.
They quickly turned over their papers in disgust. They collectively grunted with their disapproval. They threw down their pencils and tossed up their hands in disbelief.
About that same time, Jesus walked through the pearly gates and out into the exterior waiting area.
Jesus said, “I have taken the entrance exam for all of you…and I scored 100%.
Come on into my father’s kingdom…you are all welcome!
The soldiers jumped up and down and cheered. Some crossed themselves. Collectively, they went, “Wheeew!”
Perfection is not to be obtained this side of heaven for any of us. As Paul said, “we all fall short.”
But there is forgiveness. There is reconciliation. There is mercy. There is grace.
The mercy, grace, forgiveness and reconciliation we experience from God is meant to be shared and extended – here and now – to our brothers and sisters.
No one is perfect. We all make mistakes.
We are to be inspired by Jesus’ forgiveness and love for us. He died on the cross of crucifixion specifically for this purpose and reason.
When he opened his arms on the cross…he opened them to all, and for all, including you and me.
Now, extend that kind of love to all others…