Daily Gospel Reflection
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October 26, 2022
Jesus passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
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.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.’
And you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Then he will say to you,
‘I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And 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.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last.”
That narrow gate from today’s gospel gives me an uneasy feeling. I want to be strong enough to enter through it, but what if I’m not? I think I am striving toward God, but a nagging question persists—am I working hard enough?
A few years back, I had the opportunity to walk part of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I remember training diligently in the months leading up to the trip to prepare. I wanted to ensure I was in shape to handle the rigors of backpacking nearly 15 miles a day.
My training didn’t pay off. Three days into the walk, I developed tendonitis in my right ankle. I purchased a brace that helped a bit, but the pain was still quite sharp. My stubborn self was not too happy with the idea of giving up, so I tried to muscle my way through. I quickly realized my strength alone would not carry me the rest of the way.
During this time, I learned in a very physical way how to depend on God’s grace and strength. I could not carry myself the rest of the way to Santiago, but God could. This experience showed me the dignity of working through one’s suffering and how much we need God to do anything meaningful at all.
Are any of us strong enough to strive alone? No, but if we aim for God and trust that Christ will carry us, he will give us the strength we need to enter the narrow gate. It is true—God can accomplish anything.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, we strive to do your will, although we often stumble and fail in our efforts. Help us in our weakness to know the path we should walk, and help us in our journey to find the narrow gate. Grant us, in your great love, the strength to enter into your kingdom where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit. We ask this in your holy name. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Evaristus was the fourth successor of St. Peter—following popes Linus, Cletus, and Clement—and the last pope of the first century AD.
He was son of a Greek Jew from Bethlehem. Legend has it that he divided Rome into seven parishes and assigned seven deacons to serve them. He has been known as a martyr, but this has not been proven. He is probably buried near St. Peter in the Vatican.
His relics rest in the Basilica reliquary chapel.
St. Evaristus, early pope of the Church, pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Evaristus is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed October 4, 2024.