Gospel Reading Luke 13:22-30
Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.' And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."
Reflection:
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough."
I read this scripture reading to my family, and my daughter asked, "So why is the wide path or gate bad?" I thought about her question, and realized that her question wasn't about what was written in the scripture, but about the imagery that came into her mind as the scripture was being read to her. The scripture only talks about the narrow gate. Then she said, "I think the statement that says 'Jesus would not know where we are from' would be impossible. He knows everything. How can that be?"
So, I had to give her an answer and this is what I said, "The narrow gate is the gate that Jesus tells us to strive for. Do you think Jesus is good or bad?"
Of course she said Jesus is good.
I continued, "So if you know Jesus is good, wouldn't you want to try to do what He tells you to do?"
Then My husband interjected and said, "I agree with her. Jesus does know us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. That is probably why He says for us to enter through the narrow gate, as this is the path to heaven. Going through the narrow gate is not easy, and that is life. Life is not easy. Trust Jesus".
God bless you all!
Please pray for Priests!