“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.”
The Greek word translated “strive” in this morning’s Gospel
is agonizomai, from which we get the
English word agonize. The implication here is that those who seek to enter the
narrow gate must do so by struggle and strain, like a running athlete straining
toward the finish line, all muscles taut and giving his all in the effort.
I don’t think it is a coincidence that Jesus’ passion begins
with the “agony” in the garden, where he strives, and agonizes, to do the Will
of the Father.
The narrow gate of faithfulness is difficult for us because
of our human pride, our attachment to sin, our attraction to worldliness and
sensual delight, and of course the opposition of Satan.
Despite the difficulty and opposition, Jesus urges us to
strive to enter the narrow gate.
Notice Jesus doesn’t say, stand at the gate and look at it,
and complain about how narrow it is, how small it looks. Some Christians look at the commandments of
God and teachings of the Church and reject them, claiming that they are too
narrow, too rigid, outdated. They seek
to refashion the gate, and make it wider.
But that’s not what Jesus asks.
Entering the narrow gate requires us to change. Sometimes we are clinging to things that just
can’t pass through the narrow gate: our selfish clinging to worldly delights,
our grudges, our fears. We are called to
make the adjustment to our minds and hearts, to let go of all that keeps us from
following Christ more wholeheartedly.
Through the Eucharist we celebrate today, may God give us
the strength to strive to follow the way of Christ amidst all obstacles and
worldly temptations for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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