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Credo Catholic
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Posted: Sat Aug 25th, 2007 03:13 pm |
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I have been pondering the passage from Matthew 7:
13) 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.
14) How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.
I used to think the narrow gate was belief in Jesus Christ and following his teachings. Now I think it's narrower than that. Is it an analogy for the one true church and obedience to the church begun by Jesus, as opposed to the "wider" scope of denominations and belief systems that have evolved?
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BettyBoopToo
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Posted: Sat Aug 25th, 2007 05:05 pm |
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Interesting question marsha!
I cannot wait to hear what some others have to comment on it.
I'm very fond of the parable of the narrow Gate, as I've been able to use it and see it plainly in my own life. It's easily understood by most and can be used in many ways to help others come to a better understanding of what chirst is saying to us.
Betty
____________________
Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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Credo Catholic
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Posted: Sat Aug 25th, 2007 09:21 pm |
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| An odd thing happened today. Right after posting my question I went to confession. My penance was to read tomorrow's gospel reading, which is, you guessed it, the parable of the narrow gate! Before giving me the penance, Father said the gate is not a place, it is Jesus Christ. Now I wonder if my first opinion was correct. So many people claim Jesus. Maybe the narrow rough road is suffering?
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Sat Aug 25th, 2007 09:58 pm |
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My pastor’s homily tonight (Sunday vigil) linked a number of items together in a beautiful display of the richness of holy scripture.
He started with the idea of the narrow gate being faith. He brought up the topic of Bl. Teresa of Calcutta and her “doubts” and the “loss of contact” with God which she experienced, which has been in the news lately. Where reason fails, faith takes over. It seems bleak and barren at first, but gradually the meaning becomes clear, hope begins to grow and love forms in the heart until it overflows with heavenly charity.
Morally, he expressed something that had occurred to me a few hours before: the similarities between the narrow gate versus the wide gate and the diagram that St. John of the Cross drew of the spiritual way, or as he called it, the ascent of Mount Carmel. In the diagram there are three starting points. The two on either side start out wide and gradually get narrower, until there is no passage and they come to a dead end. The one in the middle begins very narrow and gradually widens as one approaches the summit of the mountain, where complete liberty and joy abound.
My pastor gave several examples of the “narrow gate” in real life circumstances. Temptation to do evil, he said, must be rejected even at the cost of great suffering and sacrifice, but this brings with it a reward beyond all reckoning. One wants the goods of marriage; very well, he must remain faithful to his spouse for these goods to bear fruit. One is given charge of a sum of money; very well, but it belongs to another and is not available for personal use. What is given in exchange for an honest job is peace that cannot be bought with stolen money.
Finally, in line with the second reading from Hebrews 12:5–8, he pointed out that discipline is the key to our adoption as sons: “Have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? — ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’ It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.” In this view, the broad panorama of sonship and inheritance comes only after tight discipline and careful training. So God’s constant correction of our ways and cleansing of our soul is the narrow gate.
All this is not to deny the other interpretations which have been suggested. In the fountain of revelation, God’s word plays in the light of the divinity in such a way that all manner of colors and effects are given in a single breath of the Spirit.
David
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Christine Ann
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Posted: Sat Aug 25th, 2007 10:10 pm |
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Dear Marsha,
This parable has been tremendously meaningful to me. It and the scripture, " I am the Way, the Truth, the Life...." This certainly couldn't be any clearer. Problem is everyone thinks that everyone outside their dearly held doctrinal beliefs are headed for destruction. I heard this preached in the Baptist Church I attended concerning Catholics who it was said were going to hell. I don't mean to be bitter...there were some very sweet but deceived people there and my husband remains in the Baptist Church (although lately he's not been attending.) PTL! (I'm trying to convince him to come to this year's RCIA, and he's thinking about it.) I'm very concerned for his soul.
I believe too that "the way" has very much to do with suffering and that the gate is our Lord, Jesus Christ as you have said. So few understand the way of suffering. So many people just want to have a party. Just my thoughts...
Christine Ann
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japhy
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Posted: Sat Aug 25th, 2007 10:11 pm |
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Credo Catholic wrote: An odd thing happened today. Right after posting my question I went to confession. My penance was to read tomorrow's gospel reading, which is, you guessed it, the parable of the narrow gate! Before giving me the penance, Father said the gate is not a place, it is Jesus Christ. Now I wonder if my first opinion was correct. So many people claim Jesus. Maybe the narrow rough road is suffering? Many are all to eager to call Jesus their Savior, but not their Lord. We are his friends if we keep his commands (cf. John 15:14). I am reminded of an excerpt from War is Kind by Stephen Crane:The wayfarer,
Perceiving the pathway to truth,
Was struck with astonishment.
It was thickly grown with weeds.
"Ha," he said,
"I see that none has passed here
In a long time."
Later he saw that each weed
Was a singular knife.
"Well," he mumbled at last,
"Doubtless there are other roads."
____________________
[Mary said,] "Do whatever he tells you." - John 2:5
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sat Aug 25th, 2007 10:28 pm |
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My pastor had a good homily tonight, too. He said there are three kinds of Christians: tugboat Christians, sailboat Christians, and raft Christians.
Tugboats chug along even when the weather is bad, the wind is in the opposite direction, the seas are rough, and the tide is flowing the wrong way. Tugboat Christians will persevere in their journey regardless of which way the world goes. They will head for the narrow gate.
Sailboats are dependent on the wind and weather, and can't handle storms. Sailboat Christians will go wherever the world takes them. They go to church when friends and family go, but often have "better things to do". They may volunteer for charity, but they do it so they can be seen. If the wind happens to blow in that direction, they might get blown in the wide gate.
Rafts just go whever the current takes them. Raft Christians float along oblivious to their faith. They'll probably fall off, or run into the wall, since they have no way to guide their travels.
Only the tugboat Christians have a chance to make it through the narrow gate. The others are only fooling themselves.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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BettyBoopToo
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Posted: Sun Aug 26th, 2007 02:00 am |
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I was just coming back to this thread to share my Father's wonderful homily tonight on the Sunday readings.
He talked about the narrow gate and wide road, but he focused a bit more on what Jesus was asked about how many will be saved. He talked about a great many may understand this incorrectly and they may unfortunately think that they will make it, they have went to mass or other church services and did their weekend duty, but really not given much time or thought during the week on keeping up with their studies, prayer life, service and self giving to others.
He then went on to talk about what he often wonders, am I doing and persevering enough. He asked us to take a look at our own lives and pray about it and ponder the idea and evaluate our own walk with the lord.
I'm not very good at explaining the whole homily, but it was a very good one. I had a wonderful time at mass tonight. I love homilies that leave me with a great deal to think about and honestly evaluate my own life and walk with the lord.
Father often publishes his homilies on audio and in word on our parish website for us to listen to and go over again after the mass. I'm just not sure how soon he puts them on the website after he's done with weekend masses. I wanted to share it here with everyone. I'm very thankful that all of you have great experiences with your fathers homilies tonight.
After I've had a time of illness that prevents me from attending mass, I'm so thrilled to be there every time that I'm able, I can hardly contain my happiness. Mass is the very best place on earth and has the greatest experience that cannot be found anywhere else except another catholic parish. I never tire or are bored with Our Lords gift to us.
Thank you all for sharing your homilies and todays & past experience with this wonderful passage in scripture.
CA; I'll be praying for your dh 
Peace to all
Betty
____________________
Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sun Aug 26th, 2007 12:17 pm |
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Father Cantalamessa on the Narrow Gate
Pontifical Household Preacher Comments on Sunday's Readings
ROME, AUG. 24, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of a commentary by the Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, on the readings from this Sunday's liturgy.
* * *
Enter Through the Narrow Gate
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 66:18-21; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22-30
There is a question that has always nagged believers: Will there be many or few people saved? During certain periods this problem became so acute as to cause some people terrible anxiety.
This Sunday's Gospel informs us that Jesus himself was once asked this question. "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?'"
The question, as we see, focuses on the number -- How many will be saved? Will it be many or few? In answering the question, Jesus shifts the focus from "how many" to "how" to be saved, that is, by entering "through the narrow gate."
We see this same attitude in regard to Jesus' second coming. The disciples ask "when" the return of the Son of Man will happen and Jesus answers indicating "how" we should prepare ourselves for that return, and what to do during the time of waiting (cf. Matthew 24:3-4).
Jesus' way of responding to these questions is not strange or discourteous. He is just acting in the way of one who wants to teach his disciples how to move from a life of curiosity to one of true wisdom; from the allure of idle questions to the real problems we need to grapple with in life.
From this we already see the absurdity of those who, like the Jehovah Witnesses, believe they know the precise number of the saved: 144,000.
This number, which recurs in the Book of Revelations has a purely symbolic value (the square of 12 -- the number of the tribes of Israel -- multiplied by 1,000) and is explained by the expression that immediately follows: "A great multitude that no man could number" (Revelations 7:4, 9).
Above all, if 144,000 is really the number, then we can both close up shop. Above the gate to heaven there must be a sign like the ones parking lots put up: "Full."
If, therefore, Jesus is not so much interested in revealing to us the number of the saved as he is in telling us how to be saved, we can understand what he is trying to tell us here. In substance, there are two things: one negative and the other positive.
It is useless, or rather it is not enough, to belong to a certain ethnic group, race, tradition, or institution, not even the chosen people from whom the Savior himself comes. What puts us on the road to salvation is not a title of ownership ("We ate and drank in your presence..."), but a personal decision, followed by a consistent way of life. This is even more clear in Matthew's text which contrasts two ways and two gates, one narrow and the other wide (cf. Matthew 7:13-14).
Why are these ways respectively called "narrow" and "wide"? Is it perhaps that the way of evil is always easy and pleasant to follow and the way of goodness always hard and tiresome?
Here we must be careful not to cede to the usual temptation of believing that here below everything goes magnificently well for the wicked and everything goes terribly for the good.
The way of the wicked is wide, but only at the beginning. As one goes down this way it gradually becomes narrow and bitter. In any case, it becomes very narrow at the end because it finishes in a blind alley.
The joy that is experienced in it has the characteristic of diminishing more and more as one tastes it, and it finally causes nausea and sadness. We see this in certain forms of intoxication experienced in drugs, alcohol and sex. A larger dose or stronger stimulation is needed each time to produce pleasure of the same intensity.
Finally the organism no longer responds and it begins to break down, even physically.
The way of the just is instead narrow at the beginning, when one starts off on it, but it then becomes a spacious boulevard because hope, joy and peace of heart are found in it.
The above article is reposted with permission from Zenit.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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NanaR
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Posted: Sun Aug 26th, 2007 01:48 pm |
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Hi all,
I've certainly enjoyed reading all the references concerning this scripture, particularly the last one posted by Rick. As a former Jehovah's Witness, I certainly have plenty of experience with explaining this scripture the WRONG way. *hah*
I thought I'd share Fr. Noe's homily from the 7:30 am Mass I attended this morning. I didn't tape it and it's not the same as the one he put in our bulletin, so I am going from memory here. This is not a complete report, just one aspect that I found interesting.
Father made a point about the "narrowness" of the gate. He asked what it was that would prevent us from getting through it, what would make us too "fat" to fit through? What are we holding on to that will prevent us from fitting through the gate? He said most people would be thinking of sin, but that doesn't apply because the Lord's sacrifice takes care of our sins. Then he said, "What about our virtues?" He said, "Are we keeping our virtues to ourselves? Or are we spreading them about, using them to do good in the world?"
Then he told a story about his aunt who had died. Her son found in her wardrobe a brand new silk dress, still with the very expensive price tag on it. She had, he said, been saving it for a special occasion.
Don't ever, Father said, save anything for a special occasion. Let's use all we have, whether our God-given virtues or our material things, now and in this world so that when we get to the narrow gate, there will be nothing to prevent our going through.
Another facet in the abundance of divine light that may shine on this topic...
Ruth
____________________
When you bend down to help someone up, that is the best exercise for your heart. -- Fr. Noe, 2007
http://nanaruthann.blogspot.com
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Kayla
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Posted: Sun Aug 26th, 2007 02:04 pm |
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BettyBoopToo wrote: I was just coming back to this thread to share my Father's wonderful homily tonight on the Sunday readings.
He talked about the narrow gate and wide road, but he focused a bit more on what Jesus was asked about how many will be saved. He talked about a great many may understand this incorrectly and they may unfortunately think that they will make it, they have went to mass or other church services and did their weekend duty, but really not given much time or thought during the week on keeping up with their studies, prayer life, service and self giving to others.
He then went on to talk about what he often wonders, am I doing and persevering enough. He asked us to take a look at our own lives and pray about it and ponder the idea and evaluate our own walk with the lord.
I'm not very good at explaining the whole homily, but it was a very good one. I had a wonderful time at mass tonight. I love homilies that leave me with a great deal to think about and honestly evaluate my own life and walk with the lord.
Father often publishes his homilies on audio and in word on our parish website for us to listen to and go over again after the mass. I'm just not sure how soon he puts them on the website after he's done with weekend masses. I wanted to share it here with everyone. I'm very thankful that all of you have great experiences with your fathers homilies tonight.
After I've had a time of illness that prevents me from attending mass, I'm so thrilled to be there every time that I'm able, I can hardly contain my happiness. Mass is the very best place on earth and has the greatest experience that cannot be found anywhere else except another catholic parish. I never tire or are bored with Our Lords gift to us.
Thank you all for sharing your homilies and todays & past experience with this wonderful passage in scripture.
CA; I'll be praying for your dh
Peace to all
Betty
Ahh, another thing I miss about home- Father's homilies, which are always so thought-provoking!
The priest at the Seminary Mass today also preached on the concept of the Narrow Gate. His audience, primarily seminarians, he spoke on how easily one could become like the Pharisees. He gave examples of priests who went through the motions, did everything for the splendor, were showy... but did not pray. Did not have a relationship with Christ.
He went on to say that the road to the narrow gate is one of mental prayer and suffering. The mental prayer keeps us connected to Christ and the suffering makes our hearts unto His own Sacred Heart. He exhorted the young men to deepen their prayer lives and to realize that there are many priests and religious who do not know God- and when they reach they gate, Jesus will say "I tell you, I do not know you."
It was a very intriguing homily. I think it is a good reminder for us to consider our lives and how we are striving to get to Heaven. Are we continuously striving for holiness, for sanctification? Or, are we simply fulfilling our obligations, (obligations, mind you, that we may indeed take seriously and believe), without going that 'extra mile'. Without exerting the effort, suffering the suffering, and persevering to the end. A nice call to examine where we are spiritually and to discipline ourselves for the betterment of our souls.
____________________
I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.
Jesus, I trust in You!
There's not a lot of job security for us after death. I suppose that's one advantage of being a philosopher. - Peter Kreeft
http://kayla23mount.blogspot.com/
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BettyBoopToo
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Posted: Sun Aug 26th, 2007 06:10 pm |
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Kayla wrote:
Ahh, another thing I miss about home- Father's homilies, which are always so thought-provoking!
Kayla
Did you know that you can listen to fathers homilies on the parish web-site???
http://www.hynds.org/st-thomas/mig/index.php?currDir=.
I've recently resolved to take advantage of re-listening his homilies and possibley by the grace of God, get my husband to listen with me too.
It appears to me that his homilies are about 2 weeks behind the church schedule.
I just thought you may like to listen and hear fathers voice when or if you get a little home sick.
I went back and listened to fathers Aug 12 th homily and it was a very good one too. http://www.hynds.org/st-thomas/mig/index.php?currDir=./Click_Here_for_2007_Recordings I did not remember which day you left here, so thought I'd add it.
Gods Blessing
Betty
____________________
Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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CajunRick
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Posted: Mon Aug 27th, 2007 12:36 am |
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On Passing Through the Narrow Gate
"We Must Commit Ourselves to Being Little"
VATICAN CITY, AUG. 26, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered today before reciting the midday Angelus with several thousand people gathered in the courtyard of the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.
* * *
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Even today's liturgy proposes to us an illuminating and troubling phrase of Christ. During his last trip up to Jerusalem someone asks him: "Lord will those who are saved be few?" And Jesus answers: "Strive to enter by the narrow gate; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able" (Luke 13:23-24). What is meant by this "narrow gate"? Why is it that many people do not succeed in entering through it? Is it perhaps a passage that is reserved only for a few elect?
When we consider it, in effect, the way of reasoning of Jesus' interlocutors is always with us: the temptation to think of religious practice as a source of privileges and certainties is always waiting in ambush for us. In truth, Christ's message goes in exactly the opposite direction: Everyone can enter into life, but the gate is "narrow" for everyone. There is no privileged group. The way to eternal life is open to all, but it is "narrow" because it is demanding, it requires commitment, self-denial and mortification of one's own egoism.
Once again, as we have seen in past Sundays, the Gospel invites us to consider the future that awaits us and for which we must prepare during our pilgrimage on earth. The salvation that Jesus worked through his death and resurrection is universal. He is the only Redeemer and he invites everyone to the banquet of eternal life. But with one and the same condition: that of making the effort to follow him and imitate him, taking up one's cross, as he did, and dedicating one's life to the service of our brothers. One and universal, therefore, is this condition for entering into the life of heaven.
On the last day -- Jesus observes in the Gospel -- we will not be judged on the basis of presumed privileges, but by our works. The "workers of iniquity" will find themselves excluded, while those who have done good and sought justice, at the cost of sacrifice, will be welcomed. For this reason it will not be enough to declare oneself a "friend" of Christ, bragging about false merits: "We ate and drank in your presence and you taught in our streets" (Luke 13:26).
True friendship with Christ is expressed by one's way of life: it is expressed by goodness of heart, with humility, meekness and mercy, love of justice and truth, sincere and honest commitment to peace and reconciliation. This, we might say, is the "I.D. card" that qualifies us as authentic "friends"; this is the "passport" that permits us to enter into eternal life.
Dear brothers and sisters, if we too want to pass through the narrow gate we must commit ourselves to being little, that is, humble of heart, like Jesus. Like Mary, his and our Mother. She was the first, following the Son, to travel the way of the cross and she was assumed into the glory of heaven, as we recalled some days ago. The Christian people call on her as "launa Caeli," Gate of Heaven. Let us ask her to guide us, in our daily choices, along the road that leads to the "Gate of Heaven."
[Translation by ZENIT]
[After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father greeted pilgrims in six languages. In English, he said:]
I am happy to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors. May your stay at Castel Gandolfo and Rome renew your love of the universal Church. I welcome the new seminarians of the Pontifical North American College, and pray that their formative years in Rome will help them to grow in wisdom and pastoral charity. Among you I welcome the participants in the cycling pilgrimage from Canterbury Cathedral to Rome. You have cycled the traditional Via Francigena, following in the footsteps of so many men and women of faith on their way to the tombs of Peter and Paul. I pray that your visit will be a time of spiritual and ecumenical enrichment. May Christ keep you and your families in his love.
To the Muslim, Orthodox, Lutheran, and Catholic religious leaders from Kazakhstan, present at today's Angelus, I wish to extend warm greetings. Your gathering in Assisi and in Padua, together with your meetings in the Vatican, are a sure sign of the hope that mutual understanding and respect between religious communities can overcome distrust and promote the way of peace which springs from truth. Be assured of my prayers for the success of your visit and may your efforts bear much fruit for the noble land of Kazakhstan and beyond!
© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
The above article is reposted with permission from Zenit.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Credo Catholic
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Posted: Mon Aug 27th, 2007 12:45 am |
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| I visited a nearby parish tonight because I didn't feel well this morning. So I ended up at a Life Teen mass. Enough said about that! Why does God have to come to the teens, instead of them going to Him? Anyway, the pastor said many of the things already spoken of on this thread. But he did add something about Luke 13:25 . . . "He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from." How could He not know where we are from, He created us? Because we turned our backs on Him, walked away and did things not in keeping with someone made in the image of God. Then when it suits us, we remind Him "We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets." But the door will be locked. This is a very sobering passage for me.
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Ali
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Posted: Mon Aug 27th, 2007 10:03 am |
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NanaR wrote: Hi all,
I've certainly enjoyed reading all the references concerning this scripture, particularly the last one posted by Rick. As a former Jehovah's Witness, I certainly have plenty of experience with explaining this scripture the WRONG way. *hah*
Yeah, I agree with Ruth! This scripture has been on my mind lately as well. Only our priest didn't have any great explanations like I've read here. I was glad to come here this morning and read this thread 
Ali
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Esther
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Posted: Mon Aug 27th, 2007 11:16 am |
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For my two cents...
I also heard that the narrow gate was referring to a entrance into the city. People would try to come through but they would have so much stuff on their donkey's they would not fit through.
After I heard that I kind of viewed it as, how much am I holding on to? What I am I valuing over heaven and eternity?
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CajunRick
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Posted: Mon Aug 27th, 2007 02:41 pm |
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Esther wrote: I also heard that the narrow gate was referring to a entrance into the city. People would try to come through but they would have so much stuff on their donkey's they would not fit through.
After I heard that I kind of viewed it as, how much am I holding on to? What I am I valuing over heaven and eternity?
The narrow gate was the "poor man's" entrance into the city, since you couldn't enter if you were carrying very much. It wasn't much larger than man's shoulders. Caravans of camels loaded with creature comforts that a rich man would travel with couldn't enter through that gate; it had to enter through the big gate. So when Jesus was telling us to enter through the narrow gate, he was telling us we need to shed ourselves of material attachments, "purifying" ourselves of our links to this world.
Of course, the message is the same throughout scripture. Our Holy Father tells us that the "narrow path" is our works, meaning our dedication to others rather than to ourselves. The pontifical preacher tells us that the narrow path widens as our spiritual journey deepens, while the wide path narrows until there is no path left. My own pastor compared us to tugboats which continue to strive to attain their goal, while rafts float wherever the current takes them and cannot aim for the narrow passage.
Jesus said his yoke is easy and his burden light. Like the yoke, the narrow path is a good fit for us, but first we have to put down our attachments. The only thing we can take with us to the next life is love.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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Esther
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Posted: Mon Aug 27th, 2007 03:09 pm |
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Rick-
Thank you! That was very well worded and informative. It does make me think of my attachments and if I am a "tug boat" Christian.
Sometimes the gospels really make me question my salvation! I have such a long way to go before I could be considered a tug boat. I have a great deal of attachment in this world!!
Thanks for those worlds of wisdom!
Esther
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CajunRick
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Posted: Mon Aug 27th, 2007 09:36 pm |
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Esther wrote: Sometimes the gospels really make me question my salvation! I have such a long way to go before I could be considered a tug boat. I have a great deal of attachment in this world!!
I think Jesus understands that. What he expects is the effort. He told us to be perfect as his heavenly Father is perfect, with full knowledge we would never achieve that goal. After all, holiness is not being like Jesus, it is striving to be like Jesus.
We are on a journey. On a good day, we take two steps foward and one step back. On a bad day, we take one step forward and two steps back. What matters is that we take more steps forward than back, that we get closer to our goal, which is the narrow gate.
Never forget that Peter denied Jesus when his Master needed him the most; Paul persecuted him and chased down his followers to see them killed. What can we do that is worse?
The narrow gate is our goal. We may not achieve it in this life, but we have the promise of purification after death (Purgatory) if necessary to complete our Theosis. "For the Son of God became man so that we might become God." St. Athanasius, as quoted in CCC460.
If you love God and love your neighbor as yourself, if you provide for the least of God's people, then you have no worries.
Last edited on Mon Aug 27th, 2007 09:37 pm by CajunRick
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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Credo Catholic
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Posted: Tue Aug 28th, 2007 12:43 am |
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If this link will work you can hear the homily Father Newman delivered about finding the narrow gate. He always makes it interesting, and since he was giving that passage to read as penance I thought he must have something good to say about it!
http://stmarysgvl.org/discipleship/audio-homilies?song=314&homilyTitle=21stSundayoftheYear
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Esther
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Posted: Tue Aug 28th, 2007 09:41 am |
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CajunRick wrote:
We are on a journey. On a good day, we take two steps foward and one step back. On a bad day, we take one step forward and two steps back. What matters is that we take more steps forward than back, that we get closer to our goal, which is the narrow gate.
You brought me to tears! Thank you. I needed that encouragement.
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