Jesus warns that we can be excluded if we do not strive to enter by the narrow door. The door which Jesus had in mind was himself. Jesus says that “I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved.” God sent his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to open the way for us to have full access to the throne of God’s grace, that is his favor and his blessings. And his mercy is his pardon for our sins. Through Jesus’ victory on the cross, he has freed us from slavery to sin and hurtful desires and addictions. And he has made us His own sons and daughters and citizens of his kingdom. We are free now to choose which kingdom we will serve—the kingdom of truth and light ruled by God’s wisdom or the kingdom of falsehood and darkness ruled by Satan. We have to decide it, because God will never put his hands on our individual freedom.

Today’s gospel presents Jesus’ uncompromising challenge regarding the serious demands of true discipleship. Jesus is the door to life that we must walk through to enter the kingdom, but today’s images—a narrow gate and a locked door—remind us that this journey requires our own effort. Jesus is telling us that we must be willing to take up our cross and follow him every day of our lives. The Christian way of living is not meant to be an easy way. It is about living an active lifestyle that chooses the way of God. Each day, we are invited to live the paschal mystery, that is to take up our daily crosses—die to ourselves and live for the sake of the gospel. Or in other words to live and act like Jesus every day of our lives.

The word strive can also be translated as agony. To enter the kingdom of God we must struggle against every force or power of opposition—even the temptation to remain indifferent in our faith and personal trust in Jesus, our hope in holding firm to the promises of Jesus, and our uncompromising love for God above all else. Paul the Apostle reminds us that our hope in God does not disappoint us because “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” The Lord reminds us that when we face difficulties, trials, temptations, and even failures, we do not struggle alone. He knows our weaknesses even better than we do, and he is always ready to help us in our struggles to overcome sin and wrong-doing. God’s grace is sufficient for us! Then Jesus assures us of complete victory!

Today Jesus us is asking us whether we are ready to trust in God’s grace and help, especially in times of testing and temptation! When we trust in God, surely He will be on our side to help us always. He will never ever abandon us at any time—because He is a faithful God. Put all our trust in Him and only in Him.

God Bless you all.

Fr. Charley