The narrow gates that lead to joy

Sisters and brothers in Christ, in today's Gospel, Jesus tells us to "[strive] to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough." Narrow is the gate and straight is the path that leads to heaven. If we are courageous enough, then we will be strong enough to enter the narrow gates. However, it takes discipline.

Discipline is an interesting as I learned during my years in Diaconal Formation. At first, I disciplined myself to pray the Liturgy of the Hours twice a day, pray the Holy Rosary daily, attend Mass daily, go to Confession regular, do a Holy Hour regularly, meet with my Spiritual Director, etc., because I was asked to do so. However, the discipline transformed into a desire to do these practices because it helped me grow closer in my relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This is what Saint Paul must have meant when he wrote: "At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it." At first, the disciplines were a "pain" but now, not doing them causes me "pain" because the disciplines brought me great joy and help me to love God and love neighbor in a deeper way.

Therefore, as Saint Paul wrote in today’s second reading: "do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges." Allow God to mold us through disciplines so that we may have the strength to enter through the narrow gate that leads to salvation.

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Gospel of the Day

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."