In today's Gospel Luke 13: 22-30, Jesus speaks about those who will gather around the banquet table in His kingdom, those who strove, here on earth, "to enter [eternal life] through the narrow gate." Jesus reminds us that many will not enter that narrow gate because they will not be strong enough to do so! Strength comes from the Lord, the creator and redeemer of all! Strength comes to those who recognize Jesus as their Savior, as the one who alone can take them through that "narrow gate".
The narrow gate is the gate through which Jesus journeyed while here on earth--obedient to a Higher Power. Obeying the Father's will led to Jesus' death by people who were jealous of Him and who were concerned that others were listening to His teachings and worried that so many were following His way of humility, honesty, righteousness, justice and love for all persons and especially for sinners, the oppressed, the poor, and the outcasts of His culture!
Choosing the "narrow gate" of holiness, as Jesus showed us, will lead to conflict with those who choose the broader gate. "Everyone is doing it," is the reason so many choose to follow the crowd through the broader gate. It's easier! No sweat! No sacrifice! "You'll be like God," Satan told Eve and Adam in the Garden! How many people act as though they are a God, the Higher Power others are to emulate! As with Adam and Eve in the Garden, many fall for Satan's lies and reject the "narrow way."
What choices are you and I making?
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