Narrow Gate

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062315.cfm) reminds me that the gate to God’s kingdom is narrow.

In the movie facing the giants, there is a scene which explains the verse in the gospel, relating it to football. It is easy to enter the wide gate and broad road, just like it is easy to throw a football in the air. However, merely throwing it does not count. You need to make the football enter the goal, which is narrow compared to everything else. In the same way, the road to God’s kingdom is narrow and difficult to pass through, but that road is where it counts.

Everyone can enter the narrow gate, but not everyone is willing.

God tells us how to live. he tells us how we can get to his kingdom. Yes, it is difficult, and sometimes painful, but doable. However, not all people are up for the challenge. Not all people are willing to step out of their comfort zones and do the right thing, live the right way. not everyone is willing to let go of some worldly comfort to prepare for heavenly ones. Not everyone is ready and willing to live for God.

Let us pray for a ready and willing heart, that would let go of worldly comfort to be able to focus on God as we live on earth preparing for heaven.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to love and serve you. thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I shy away from the narrow gate. Sorry for the times I am not willing to walk through the narrow road and enter the narrow gate. Sorry for the times I love myself more than I love you. give me a heart that would always yearn for you, that would be ready and willing to let go of worldly concerns that hinder me from living the way you want me to. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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June 23, 2015

Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 372

Reading 1 Gn 13:2, 5-18

Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.

Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents,

so that the land could not support them if they stayed together;

their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together.

There were quarrels between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock

and those of Lot’s.

(At this time the Canaanites and the Perizzites

were occupying the land.)

So Abram said to Lot:

“Let there be no strife between you and me,

or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are kinsmen.

Is not the whole land at your disposal?

Please separate from me.

If you prefer the left, I will go to the right;

if you prefer the right, I will go to the left.”

Lot looked about and saw how well watered

the whole Jordan Plain was as far as Zoar,

like the LORD’s own garden, or like Egypt.

(This was before the LORD had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)

Lot, therefore, chose for himself the whole Jordan Plain

and set out eastward.

Thus they separated from each other;

Abram stayed in the land of Canaan,

while Lot settled among the cities of the Plain,

pitching his tents near Sodom.

Now the inhabitants of Sodom were very wicked

in the sins they committed against the LORD.

After Lot had left, the LORD said to Abram:

“Look about you, and from where you are,

gaze to the north and south, east and west;

all the land that you see I will give to you

and your descendants forever.

I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth;

if anyone could count the dust of the earth,

your descendants too might be counted.

Set forth and walk about in the land, through its length and breadth,

for to you I will give it.”

Abram moved his tents and went on to settle

near the terebinth of Mamre, which is at Hebron.

There he built an altar to the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm PS 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5

R. (1b) He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

He who walks blamelessly and does justice;

who thinks the truth in his heart

and slanders not with his tongue.

R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Who harms not his fellow man,

nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;

By whom the reprobate is despised,

while he honors those who fear the LORD.

R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Who lends not his money at usury

and accepts no bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things

shall never be disturbed.

R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Alleluia Jn 8:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

whoever follows me will have the light of life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 7:6, 12-14

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine,

lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.

This is the Law and the Prophets.

“Enter through the narrow gate;

for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction,

and those who enter through it are many.

How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.

And those who find it are few.”