The narrow door

October 26, Wednesday, 30th Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Ephesians 6:1-9; Gospel Luke 13:22-30

Once, a family was on vacation. They were driving along a country road that was quite broad. Suddenly, they came across a sign saying, "Road Closed. Do Not Enter. " But the father of the family said, "I think the road is broad, and it should help us reach it faster." Let us continue. The man and the family proceeded around the sign. They thought that it would save them time. His wife said, "Let us not take the forbidden path," but for the man, there was no turning back, and they continued with the adventure.

After a few miles, they found the road pretty good and broad, and the man began to praise himself for his gift of discernment. But suddenly, his bright smile was replaced with a humble sweat as the road led to a broken bridge. When they arrived at the original warning sign, there was a message in large letters on the back of the sign: "Welcome back, fool!" He turned the car around and then proceeded back to the sign.

There is no shortcut to success and no shortcut to heaven. The road to salvation is not broad but narrow. Entering the narrow door means having the proper discipline and disposition to take the narrow right path rather than the broad and attractive wrong path.

In the gospel, according to Saint Luke, chapter 13, verses 23–24, a person in the crowd asks Jesus: ... "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" Jesus said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.

The Greek word " strive " can be translated into English as "intense exertion."  Jesus tells us that we must strive, struggle, fight, and labor fervently to enter the narrow door that leads to salvation.

If we follow the right path, live a disciplined life, or enter through the narrow gate, the Lord admits us to his kingdom.

Let us strive to enter through the narrow door by abandoning the more cozy and comfortable worldly life and holding fast to a life of discipline and sacrifice so we shall be saved.