The Narrow Gate

Homily for Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

You might say that today’s Gospel text is a face full of ice-cold water! This message is an example of challenging those who are comfortable with the uncomfortable reality of the Christian vocation. Jesus did not come to enhance the status quo. His message entails uprooting the entrenched spiritual weeds and upending the unbalanced cultural mores found in the ancient Near East.

The normal arbiters of success and wealth will not get us into heaven. Those who seemingly win at life on earth will not necessarily be winning the chance to get into the Kingdom. Those who repent and believe in the Gospel, those who have faith, those who keep the Father’s commandments, and those who love one another are the ones who will inherit the Kingdom.

If we strive to enter the narrow gate to the kingdom, then we are at least working in life toward the ultimate goal. We will inevitably fail, but we can get back up through our own repentance. By repenting and confessing and receiving the Eucharist, we will be given grace to grow in virtue. The Holy Spirit has been poured out to help us to repent.

If we set aside selfish wants and desires and focus on the needs and wants of others while preparing our hearts for the Lord, we will strengthen ourselves for the walk through the narrow gate of the Kingdom of Heaven. As the Gospel verse reminds us today, we have been called to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.