THE NARROW DOOR                

“So don’t be all upset, always concerned about what you will eat and drink.  Your Father knows that you need these things.  Instead be concerned with His Kingdom and He will provide you with these things.” (Luke 12:29)

Jesus went through towns and villages teaching the people and making His way towards Jerusalem.  Someone asked Him, “Sir, will just a few people be saved?” 

Jesus answered them, “Do your best to go in through the narrow door; because many people will surely try to go in but will not be able.  The Master of the house will get up and close the door; then when you stand outside and begin to knock on the door and say, “Open the door for us sir.”  He will answer you, “I don’t know where you come from.”  Then you will answer, “We ate and drank with you.  You taught in our town.”  But he will say again, “I don’t know where you come from.  Get away from me, all you wicked people!”  How you will cry and grind your teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God while you are thrown out.  People will come from the East and the West, from the North and the South, and sit down at the feast in the Kingdom of God.  Then those who are now last will be first and those who are now first will be last.

(Luke 13:22 – 30)

Here, Lord Jesus began this parable when someone asked Him, “Sir, will just a few people be saved?”  To those willing to be saved, this parable gives them a good insight.  When we reach the Kingdom of God, you will find unexpected people seated there and you will be surprised to see some of them.  Similarly, when they see you, they too will be surprised. Because the last one may be given the most priority seat whereas those whom you thought would be first will be seen in the last row.

Don’t misinterpret that all the last ones will be given the priority to be seated in the first row as well as those who are first now will be placed last.  But the last ones must try hard to promote to the better places, as well as the first ones must take care of their good virtues to remain in their place of honor.  After knowing the truth of your salvation, but still denying it, if you continue with the same easy ways, don’t expect that you will be saved like that criminal  whom Lord Jesus saved at  his right side at Calvary.

Simultaneously, the parable insists the true faithful ones to strive hard clothed in the spiritual armor and to hold till the Righteous Judge appears.  It is wise to question yourself, “Where will I be seated – will I be the last or the first?”  Lord Jesus says, “Wherever you are there is only one way - that is the narrow door”.  He said, “Do your best to go through the narrow door.  The gate to hell is wide and the road that leads to it is easy and there are many who travel it.  But the gate to life is narrow and the way that leads to it is hard, and there are few people who find it.” (Matt 7 : 13 -14)

Can I be one among the few faithful ones?

 Run your best in the race of faith.  You will understand that like a good soldier of Christ, you are also called to partake in His sufferings.  Many will appear and invite you to travel through the wide road of fame and temporal success which attracts attention but it leads you to disaster.  You will be called wise if you are be able to accept the hardships and sufferings of this short life on earth joyfully hoping for the great reward that awaits ahead. Remember that the gold has to be purified to be molded into a good medal, so also you ought to purify your life at times by passing through hardships. 

Two roads and two drivers are given freely to us.  If you travel with Lord Jesus as your Guide, He will take you carefully and safely to your destination and there you will enjoy your remaining eternal life in Heaven alongwith all God’s companions.   You decide to follow Jesus Christ and He takes you to His True path facing numerous obstacles but He who is the Good Shepherd knows to lead His little sheep protecting them from the cruel foe.

Whereas if you are travelling through the wide open door and the driver who does not know what is self control and safety measures will lead you only to the shore of disaster and he will leave you and disappear taking all his rewards leaving you empty handed.   

 “Happy are those who reject the advice of evil men, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God” (Psalms 1 : 1)   The path of a sinner is easy to follow but full of covetousness.  He can only serve you the cursed fruit such as addictions, gambling, immoral life, idol worship, murder, black magic, cowardice, cheating, lies, to lead you to the lake burning with fire and sulphur which is the second death.

“Then I will say to them I never knew you, get away from me you wicked people.”  O Lord! On the day of Your judgment let me not hear these words from You.  Grant me Your grace to choose you and Your army to be my guide so that the above horrible words will not fall upon my ears and may I not be thrown out to hell where I can only cry and grind my teeth.

Dear ones, the final decision is yours to choose, whether to go along with the crowd through the open broad path or the few ones who chose travelling carefully taking each step so that no poisonous snake or roaring lion can harm you because you know Your Shepherd is your True Light and He will let you to rest in green pastures and lead you to the quite pools of fresh water.  He will provide you with new strength everyday and His rod is strong enough to conquer your enemies. Let us carefully correct our path so that you may confidently say to yourself that I have done best in my race with my Lord and held the faith throughout and now I can lift my face and look at the eyes of the Righteous Judge and wait for the victory prize that is the entry pass to everlasting life in its completion.

ACT OF THE DAY

Through the intercession of Mother Mary, let us offer a Holy Rosary to grant us more intellect to choose the right narrow door and to overcome our trials and tribulations patiently.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ