Be Worthy of the Narrow Gate

By Nirmal Kumar csc –

Readings: Rom 8: 26-30; Lk 13: 22-30

Through today’s readings, God is inviting me to reflect on the purpose of my call. God calls each one of us for a particular purpose. He loves everyone equally. The call to a religious way of life is a unique one.

However, many times, I forget the purpose of my call or what I have been called to. Often, I find myself running after material things, fame, pleasing others, or seeking pleasure from others instead of pleasing God and being with him. This is the weakness of the flesh.

Through the gospel, Jesus invites me to follow him for which I need to enter the narrow gate and throw away the extra fat such as fame, possession, pride, jealousy, etc. that that I may be carrying. However, reducing such baggage is not easy both physically and spiritually. In order to reduce the physical fat, we have to exercise.

But for spiritual growth, we need constant prayer that can help us to get rid of anger, jealousy, pride, etc. As religious, we are called to be leaders to lead the faithful through the same gate that we have to enter. Therefore, we must ‘walk the talk’ than ‘talk the talk’ and pray that we may be more fitting to enter the narrow gate.