“WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENTER THE NARROW GATE “

Ephesians 6:1-9
Luke 13:22-30

Lord will only a few people be saved? Today’s gospel is introduced with this intriguing question. To the one who questioned Jesus about how many will be saved, that is, those to be admitted into the kingdom of God, Jesus says to him and us, ‘strive to enter by the narrow gate, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.’

Which door would you pass through narrow or wide? Why is it important to enter by the narrow gate? The Narrow gate is Jesus and He is the only gate that leads to life-for He himself is Life. The wide gate on the other hand leads to damnation, that which many prefer to follow. And that narrow gate is the path opposed to the majority who stand against Christ the way, the truth, and the life; and His ideals of justice, charity, discipline, love, peace, compassion and progress.

Besides all this, how we try to enter the narrow gate really matters too. We may put in all energy and efforts yet without succeeding because it is not just to try harder but also depending on God and acting wisely that can make the difference. Just as all the ten virgins tried hard by going to meet the bridegroom but only the wise ones succeeded in meeting Him, so also, we too must prepare and try not just harder but wisely in order to enter by this narrow gate.

Ask yourself today, what do you stand for in life? Does the Master know you? Have I repented of all my sins and acknowledge Him as my Lord and Savior?Remember, What we stand for defines who we are before God. It does not matter what people think about us or see in us. What matters in the end, is how and what God sees and knows about us because that is what we truly are.

Nonetheless, entrance through this gate is an act of grace gratuitously bestowed by God, for which we cannot claim any credit. Hence, salvation which is entrance is therefore a gratuitous gift and not our right. However, there is still something we must do. What efforts are we making to enter by the narrow gate right now?

St. Paul’s reference to slavery in today’s first reading from Ephesians would suggest “The Bible says slavery is permissible.” We know that not to be true. This selection from Ephesians is more about how we are to treat one another, and, maybe in our contemporary context, how employers and employees might honor and respect one another.

Maybe the gospel and the first reading comes together, calling us to recognize and respect others, even if they are not “from the south” or “look like us.” Adult or children. Those who would have thought they have an easy entry into the Kingdom of God are shocked that they are locked out. So, who’s in? Well, as Luke tells is, “People will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.” The last shall be the first and the first shall be the last.

What most inspires me is that I believe Jesus, the Lord of Life and Son of God, is generous. No insider-outsider, master-slave, or us-them. And the basic gesture of generosity is to include, not exclude. In a cultural/political world of us-them, we should exercise our faith by gestures of welcome and inclusion, even if we don’t always agree. We can still be friends in the Lord.

Fr Osho