“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.”

luke 13:24

Luke 13:22-30

Reflection

Jesus tells the people that it will be difficult to enter the kingdom of God – many will try but will be rejected. While this might seem like a depressing message, it can also push us to work more diligently in genuinely following Christ and pursuing heaven.

Jesus says that we must strive to enter through the narrow door. The path to heaven is not a wide road with easy access, but rather a journey with many obstacles to overcome, that in turn make us more holy. It can be easy to fall into ‘taking the easy way out’ in various situations. Usually, this means we end up sinning or putting off what we know we must do spiritually until later.

We need to work at changing our attitude about waiting until later and strive to do those challenging things now – following the narrow way. Perhaps you put off praying, going to Confession, mending a broken relationship, forgiving those who hurt you, not being patient with or charitable to others. When Jesus calls you to do something you don’t want to do but know is good for you, answer his call.

What are you struggling with in your faith life that makes it difficult to follow the narrow way? Ask Jesus for the strength and grace to overcome any obstacles that block you from following him. Jesus tells us that many will come from all directions of the world to recline at the table – let’s keep making progress in our heavenly journey.

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Saint of the Day

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez: 1533 – 1617

“As love is paid for in love, I must imitate him, sharing in spirit all his sufferings. I must consider how much I owe him and what he has done for me…. Thus, I encourage myself to endure for love of the Lord who is before me, until I make what is bitter sweet. In this way learning from Christ our Lord, I take and convert the sweet into bitter, renouncing myself and all earthly and carnal pleasures, delights and honors of this life, so that my whole heart is centered solely on God.”

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez