Narrow Gate
Isaiah 66:18-21; Psalm 117; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22-30
The first reading points to the time when the Good News shall be preached by those Gentiles who saw the glory of Israel’s God. The fulfilment of this prophecy is narrated in the Acts of the Apostles. The proclamation of the Gospel begins in Jerusalem and by the end of that book it reaches the capital of the Roman Empire. Moreover, those who minister in this new community of believers are not only the Israelites like Saints Peter, John, James, or Paul, but also the believers of the Gentile origins like Saints Luke or Titus. Today, Christianity is the largest religion in the world.
“Try to enter through the narrow gate” (Lk 13:24). According to Saint John of the Cross the path to God leads through “nothing” or complete self-denial. In order to enter through the narrow gate, one needs to be willing to renounce all the earthly goods – wealth, power, fame. Even our spiritual life should follow the path of renunciation. According to Saint Faustina the narrow path is “strewn with thorns and stones”, but leads to “a magnificent garden filled with all sorts of happiness” (Diary 153).
The success of Christianity has at its roots the sacrifice of our brothers and sisters in faith. “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church” (Tertulian). We should not be surprised that the world hates us (1 John 3:13) and we should rejoice facing “fiery trials”. The Lord tell us that we are blessed if all sorts of trials come upon us on account of our faith in Jesus (Lk 6:22-23). Through our sufferings we participate in Christ’s suffering (1 Peter 4:12-13). This message is at the heart of today’s second reading.
Jesus Christ, “although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered” (Heb 5:8). God treats us in exactly the same way. But there are different ways in approaching this method of education. We can disdain it, get weary of it, or embrace it (Heb 12:5-6). The right way to look at all those challenges that come along our way as Christians is to see behind them the loving hand of God. Discipline is part of life. One cannot achieve success in life without personal discipline. That is also true in Christian life. If we want to achieve “the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:9), we need to submit ourselves to God’s discipline.
“Before I was afflicted I went astray” confessed the Psalmist (Ps 119:67). But then, the afflictions brought him back to God: “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” (119:71). This confession of the Psalmist should help us. Life is hard and nothing comes easily. Instead of complaining, we should “lift our drooping hands and strengthen our weak knees” (see Heb 12:12). As Christians, we should expect trials. After all, we are following the one who said that He is the Way (Jn 14:6). He leads us through the Cross to the Father. Although journey is not easy, but the moment we enter that magnificent garden we shall forget all our sufferings.
“Lord, will only a few be saved?” (Luke 13:23). God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4), but “to receive His mercy, we must admit our faults” (CCC, 1847). One cannot eat and drink in the presence of Jesus (Luke 13:26) and at the same time commit iniquity (Luke 13:27; cf. Matt. 7: 21-23). In order to enter through the narrow gate we need to admit our faults and walk in the newness of life of the Gospel.
You can also visit the author's page: Reading Bible
Isaiah 66:18-21; Psalm 117; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22-30
The first reading points to the time when the Good News shall be preached by those Gentiles who saw the glory of Israel’s God. The fulfilment of this prophecy is narrated in the Acts of the Apostles. The proclamation of the Gospel begins in Jerusalem and by the end of that book it reaches the capital of the Roman Empire. Moreover, those who minister in this new community of believers are not only the Israelites like Saints Peter, John, James, or Paul, but also the believers of the Gentile origins like Saints Luke or Titus. Today, Christianity is the largest religion in the world.
“Try to enter through the narrow gate” (Lk 13:24). According to Saint John of the Cross the path to God leads through “nothing” or complete self-denial. In order to enter through the narrow gate, one needs to be willing to renounce all the earthly goods – wealth, power, fame. Even our spiritual life should follow the path of renunciation. According to Saint Faustina the narrow path is “strewn with thorns and stones”, but leads to “a magnificent garden filled with all sorts of happiness” (Diary 153).
The success of Christianity has at its roots the sacrifice of our brothers and sisters in faith. “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church” (Tertulian). We should not be surprised that the world hates us (1 John 3:13) and we should rejoice facing “fiery trials”. The Lord tell us that we are blessed if all sorts of trials come upon us on account of our faith in Jesus (Lk 6:22-23). Through our sufferings we participate in Christ’s suffering (1 Peter 4:12-13). This message is at the heart of today’s second reading.
Jesus Christ, “although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered” (Heb 5:8). God treats us in exactly the same way. But there are different ways in approaching this method of education. We can disdain it, get weary of it, or embrace it (Heb 12:5-6). The right way to look at all those challenges that come along our way as Christians is to see behind them the loving hand of God. Discipline is part of life. One cannot achieve success in life without personal discipline. That is also true in Christian life. If we want to achieve “the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:9), we need to submit ourselves to God’s discipline.
“Before I was afflicted I went astray” confessed the Psalmist (Ps 119:67). But then, the afflictions brought him back to God: “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” (119:71). This confession of the Psalmist should help us. Life is hard and nothing comes easily. Instead of complaining, we should “lift our drooping hands and strengthen our weak knees” (see Heb 12:12). As Christians, we should expect trials. After all, we are following the one who said that He is the Way (Jn 14:6). He leads us through the Cross to the Father. Although journey is not easy, but the moment we enter that magnificent garden we shall forget all our sufferings.
“Lord, will only a few be saved?” (Luke 13:23). God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4), but “to receive His mercy, we must admit our faults” (CCC, 1847). One cannot eat and drink in the presence of Jesus (Luke 13:26) and at the same time commit iniquity (Luke 13:27; cf. Matt. 7: 21-23). In order to enter through the narrow gate we need to admit our faults and walk in the newness of life of the Gospel.
You can also visit the author's page: Reading Bible
