‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.’

luke 13:25

Luke 13:22-30

Reflection

A person asks Jesus if only a few people will be saved. He tells them they should strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many people will attempt but not be strong enough. He also says that the master of the house will deny them entrance, even when people say they ate and drank in his company. Those who are first shall be last, and those who are last shall be first.

Jesus warns us that it is difficult to enter heaven. We must go through the narrow gate. Just because we proclaim Jesus as our Savior doesn’t mean we are automatically saved. Eating a dinner in someone’s company doesn’t mean you truly know them and are worthy of their friendship. In the same way, we must take care to pursue Christ with our actions, not simply our words.

While this is not always easy to do, we can call upon the Holy Spirit to guide us in following Jesus’ teachings daily. Ask the Lord for the grace to truly develop a relationship with him and constantly strive to grow in virtue and holiness.

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Saint of the Day

St. Narcissus: ca. AD 99 – 216

St. Narcissus was a bishop in Jerusalem during the second century. Not much is known about him besides some reports of miracles, such as turning water into oil for lamps on Holy Saturday. St. Narcissus, pray for us!