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Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Narrow Gate



The WORD today reminds me what the narrow road to Christ entails. 

The road towards God is narrow. 

In the gospel, Jesus said that we should enter through the narrow gate. Wide gates, easy roads, lead to destruction. And since it is easy, many people enter it. However, the narrow gate is constricted, but leads to life. It is not easy to enter through the narrow gate, but everyone can go through it. 

In the road, there are signs that tell us if the road ahead is going to be narrow.. Narrow roads, gates and spaces are not easy to enter, unlike wide roads. That is why more discipline is required if we want to enter the narrow road, the narrow gate. If we want to pass through the narrow road, we should be more careful. We should be sensitive to our surroundings and to other motorists on the road, so as not to get into an accident. Unlike with wide roads that we tend to just speed away and be more careless, because there is more space, more opportunities to do what we want

Same is true with narrow doors. Some buildings, and churches are huge, but have narrow doors – some just enough for people to go inside. Some even allow just one person at a time to go in. This requires us to be mindful of other people, to have discipline and leave behind unnecessary things that cannot pass through the narrow gate. Unlike buildings with wide gates which sometimes cause chaos, having a narrow gate promotes discipline.

The road towards God, towards his kingdom, is narrow. It is not easy to get to him. it requires discipline, sacrifice, and love. It requires us being mindful and sensitive to other people. Good news is, everyone can pass through it. We just need to be disciplined. To be serious. And to work hard for it.

What road am I taking in life? Do I always choose the easy and fun road? Or am I willing to take the narrow road that will lead me to Christ? What is he reminding me today?

May we be challenged and at the same time, encouraged, to walk the narrow road and pass through the narrow gate towards God.

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for your love. Lord, sorry for the times I am not willing to enter the narrow gate for you. Sorry for not making the extra step for you. Lord, I ask that you help me live my life in the narrow road. Help me be willing and ready. Give me patience and perseverance. IT may be difficult, but I know it is possible. And as I meet you, may I be ready to enter through the narrow gate, with only essential things with me. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,
-g-

Ps
See related reflections:


June 22, 2021
Tuesday of Week 12; St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More

FIRST READING

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

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

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

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.”

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