*Wednesday 30th October 2024 Daily Reflection and Meditation*
_Strive to enter through the narrow door._
*Good morning/afternoon/evening!*
Someone asked Jesus, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” Does it really matter whether few are saved? What matters is that you are saved. The door to salvation is open to all. However, that door is narrow. We must strive and perhaps struggle to enter through it. The door shall not remain open forever. It will shut at some point in time. When it shuts it will be either you belong to those that shall be shut inside or those that shall be shut outside. Where will I be? Where will you be?
*Have a blessed day*
WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B 2024
*"Enter Through the Narrow Door"*
_Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” Luke 13:27_
*Readings: Ephesians 6: 1-9. Luke 13:22-30.*
Today Jesus gives us the image of narrow door/gate through which we must enter to reach the kingdom of God. Someone asked, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” And Jesus responded, not with a simple “yes” or “no,” but with a challenge: “Strive to enter through the narrow door.” This door represents a path that may be difficult, even uncomfortable at times, but it leads to life.
We live in a world filled with wide doors, easier paths that can lure us into thinking they lead to happiness. These wide doors can look like success at any cost, holding grudges, valuing material wealth above all else, or seeking popularity instead of truth. They’re appealing, but they ultimately don’t satisfy the deeper longing in our souls.
The narrow door, however, asks something more of us. Jesus is inviting us into a life of humility, sacrifice, and love for others. It’s a door that requires us to be honest with ourselves, to forgive even when it’s hard, and to help others even when it’s inconvenient. It requires us to love God with our whole heart and to love others as ourselves. It requires us to live morally. This isn’t always easy, and sometimes we resist it because we fear what we might lose. It is like a greedy person who is used to ‘big and fast monies’ through corrupt. That person cannot be satisfied with the salary he or she gets, with the profits he gets. He is greedy. Telling that person to stop becomes a struggle. He knows that the means he or she is using to make more money are corrupt and evil ways but yet he or she cannot stop. It is really a narrow door for such a person. But Jesus assures us that what we gain far outweighs what we give up.
When we strive to enter through this narrow door, we align ourselves with God’s vision of the world—a place where love, mercy, and justice reign. Jesus reminds us that many will try to enter and not succeed because they’re looking for shortcuts. But there are no shortcuts to true discipleship. We can’t be followers of Christ in name only; we’re called to live as He did, with a heart of love, even when it’s hard.
Let us then ask ourselves: Are we willing to choose the narrow door? Are we ready to follow Jesus fully, even when it requires sacrifice? Are we ready to leave our corrupt ways? Are we ready to stop being greedy? This path may not always be easy, but it’s where we find true life, the life God desires for us.
May we have the courage to choose the narrow door, trusting that with each step, we draw closer to God’s heart and His kingdom. Amen.
*Have a blessed Wednesday*
_Rev Fr Francis Wambua, SJ_
*Jesuits in South Sudan*