Ephesians 6:1-9

Luke 13:22-30


“WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENTER THE NARROW GATE “


Lord will only a few people be saved? Today’s gospel is introduced with this intriguing question. To the one who questioned Jesus about how many will  be saved, that is, those to be admitted into the kingdom of God, Jesus says to him and us, ‘strive to enter by the narrow gate, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.’ 



Which door would you pass through narrow or wide? Why is it important to enter by the narrow gate? The Narrow gate is Jesus and He is the only gate that leads to life-for He himself is Life. The wide gate on the other hand leads to damnation, that which many prefer to follow. And that narrow gate is the path opposed to the majority who stand against Christ the way, the truth, and the life; and His ideals of justice, charity, discipline, love, peace, compassion and progress. 




Besides all this, how we try to enter the narrow gate really matters too. We may put in all energy and efforts yet without succeeding because it is not just to try harder but also depending on God and acting wisely that can make the difference. Just as all the ten virgins tried hard by going to meet the bridegroom but only the wise ones succeeded in meeting Him, so also, we too must prepare and try not just harder but wisely in order to enter by this narrow gate. 




Ask yourself today, what do you stand for in life? Does the Master know you? Have I repented of all my sins and acknowledge Him as my Lord and Savior?Remember, What we stand for defines who we are before God. It does not matter what people think about us or see in us. What matters in the end, is how and what God sees and knows about us because that is what we truly are.



Nonetheless, entrance through this gate is an act of grace gratuitously bestowed by God, for which we cannot claim any credit. Hence, salvation which is entrance is therefore a gratuitous gift and not our right. However, there is still something we must do. What efforts are we making to enter by the narrow gate right now?



St. Paul’s reference to slavery in today’s first reading from Ephesians would suggest “The Bible says slavery is permissible.” We know that not to be true. This selection from Ephesians is more about how we are to treat one another, and, maybe in our contemporary context, how employers and employees might honor and respect one another. 



Maybe the gospel and the first reading comes together, calling us to recognize and respect others, even if they are not “from the south” or “look like us.” Adult or children. Those who would have thought they have an easy entry into the Kingdom of God are shocked that they are locked out. So, who’s in? Well, as Luke tells is, “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.” The last shall be the first and the first shall be the last.



What most inspires me is that I believe Jesus, the Lord of Life and Son of God, is generous. No insider-outsider, master-slave, or us-them. And the basic gesture of generosity is to include, not exclude. In a cultural/political world of us-them, we should exercise our faith by gestures of welcome and inclusion, even if we don’t always agree. We can still be friends in the Lord.



Comments

  1. Flora OdiachiOctober 26, 2022 at 6:11 AM

    Good morning Father Osho today is a good day for me Thanks for your prayers Your mission is a timely Divine gift to Humanity You are Blessed In Jesus name

    ReplyDelete
  2. TonyUkaegbuOctober 26, 2022 at 7:08 AM

    Thanks padre for the Word.
    Good morning
    Have a happy day

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  ST. BARTHOLOMEW, APOSTLES, FEAST   Apocalypse 21:9-14 Psalm 144(145):10-13a,17-18 John 1:45-51 COME TO JESUS  Today's readings emphasize the significance of heaven. We must stay focused on the ultimate prize, just as Bartholomew did when he sought spiritual enlightenment under the fig tree. When Philip introduced him to the Messiah from Nazareth, Bartholomew initially questioned whether anything good could come from Nazareth. However, after encountering Christ, he recognized Him as the Son of God. Bartholomew made the wisest decision of his life by coming to Jesus. As it says in Psalms 145, "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him." Our prayer life can be as simple as coming to Jesus and seeking Him for rest, as stated in Matthew 11:28. Let us also have a deep desire to draw closer to Jesus and focus on the things above where Christ is. Amen. N. B. Pray for me as I celebrate my birthday today. Thank you and God bless. 
Read more
Image
  Saints Charles Lwanga and his Companions, Martyrs   2 Peter 1:2-7 Psalm 90(91):1-2,14-16 Mark 12:1-12 LAY DOWN YOUR LIVES FOR CHRIST  Today's gospel features Jesus addressing the scribes, chief priests, and elders. They witness the behavior of the tenant farmers in a parable, which mirrors their violence, selfishness, and desire for possession. Despite being confronted with the truth, they are too afraid to change and miss the opportunity for a conversion of heart. Instead, they react defensively and deceive themselves, eventually acting out the negative roles depicted in the parable.  The Church commemorates the Martyrs of Uganda today, particularly St. Charles Lwanga and their companions, who bore witness to Christ by sacrificing their lives. This serves as a reminder for us to be faithful stewards of God's creation and caretakers of His people, willing to serve with love and faith, even to the point of laying down our lives.
Read more
Image
  Monday of week 13 in Ordinary Time   Amos 2:6-10,​13-16 Psalm 49(50):16-23 Matthew 8:18-22 THE COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP  Dearly beloved in Christ, as we embark on a new month and continue to journey through life, It is important to keep in mind the message in today's Gospel. The brief exchanges between Jesus and the two potential disciples remind us of the challenges of true discipleship. The stories of the teacher of the law and the man wanting to bury his father emphasize the commitment and sacrifices required to follow Jesus. We see that true discipleship involves a wholehearted dedication to living a life modeled after Jesus. When we think about the earlier experiences of other followers like Peter and Andrew, we are reminded that becoming a disciple may require us to let go of our old ways and follow Jesus without hesitation. It is not always easy, and Jesus does not ask us to calculate the costs or tie up all our loose ends. Instead, He simply invites us to "Foll...
Read more