June 22, 2021

Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher

Mt 7: 6, 12-14

“Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.

“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Choosing the narrow gate

Would you prefer a vacation to Fresno or Hawaii? Given these options, I think the choice would be easy. Choices. We’re faced with them every day, and wouldn’t it be great if they were as simple as that one? Today, Jesus gives us two options: a wide gate that leads to destruction and a narrow gate that leads to life. It’s as easy as choosing between Fresno and Hawaii, right? But if it were so easy, why do we often choose Fresno?

The choice is often difficult to make because the wide gate is more attractive: it’s easier, convenient, and often self-serving. Today, Jesus tells us to enter the narrow gate, which is tougher, inconvenient, and selfless. It’s the right choice because it leads to life: joy, peace, and fulfillment. And if you need an example to follow, look to Abram in today’s first reading (Gen 13: 2, 5-18). What gate will you choose?

—Mike Manalastas, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic of the West Province who is studying theology in Madrid. 

 

Prayer

Lord, help me to choose the narrow gate, even when it is hard.  Give me the wisdom to identify the choices that lead me to you, and the strength to follow through on them. Amen.

—The Jesuit Prayer team

Please share the Good Word with your friends!