Strive to enter through the narrow gate

This coming Sunday's Gospel reading has Jesus telling the people listening to him something very important. After being asked, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" he answers by telling them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate." In answering this way, Jesus is saying neither yes nor no; but, he is definitely telling us there isn’t some easy way to sneak in.

We hear in the first reading that God wishes to "gather nations of every language" and to make them a part of his people, the same as the Jewish people. This reflects the understanding of the Church that God desires the salvation of all people! But, the author of the Letter to the Hebrews also reminds us that following God isn't necessarily easy. Quoting the Book of Proverbs, they write: "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines" and then later encourages us by saying "At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness." 

This brings us back to Jesus' exhortation to "strive to enter through the narrow gate." For, if we walk through life thinking all it takes to be saved is to be nice and go to Mass, the Church would say that we may be in danger. Jesus very clearly states throughout the Gospels that we must not just do empty acts, but must seek to know our God by striving to grow in faith as well as charity and love. In this Gospel he tells a parable of people saying, "Lord, open the door for us" and "We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets." But the master says to them: "I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!"

So, let us pray today that we may not be like those who say "we were around you, Lord!" but who do not actually know our saving God. May we strive to know God by our daily prayer life and reading of Scripture, by our participation in the sacramental life of the Church, and by our service to Christ present to us in the poor and vulnerable. If we do all of these things with faith in our hearts, striving to follow God's commandments and live in a way worthy of the name of Christian, it will be a challenge to be sure. But, we can also be confident that our God will know us and we will be welcomed in through the narrow gate when our days come to an end.

Want to prepare your heart and mind for Mass this weekend? Click here to find the readings this Sunday's Mass.