Enter Through the Narrow Door

08-24-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

Like every male Jew, Jesus goes to Jerusalem several times to celebrate the great Jewish feasts. For every male Jew, it is a dream to visit the Temple in Jerusalem upon reaching maturity. They fulfill the commandments (mitzvot) and join in festivals like Passover. The Psalms often sing the words of Yahweh: I will set my king on Zion, my holy mountain. Zion is called the fairest of all the heights and the joy of all the earth. The only Temple of the Jewish religion stands on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. People from all over the world long to go there to worship and offer sacrifices to the one true God. Jesus also travels to Jerusalem. One day, He would give his life there.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus visited many towns and villages, but His gaze was fixed on His final destination. Attached to every final destination is the mission in life that gives direction to the journey. History is not merely the memorization of historical facts and names, but an instrument for better understanding ourselves and the world we live. Just as science is not just a classroom or laboratory subject, but an instrument to better understand humanity, the environment, or the world we live in.

Permissiveness is a key problem in the modern world, seen in the breakdown of traditional values for more liberal ones. As faith and morals erode, many feel confused about existence and purpose. Values like self-control and sacrifice seem foreign to younger generations. Jesus’ message in the Gospel stands in contrast: Strive to enter the narrow door for true fulfillment and eternal salvation. He teaches that many will try to enter, but only those who make a real effort and embrace discipline will succeed.

The Gospel of Matthew reinforces this theme: Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction. Many ignore this warning, instead choosing the wide road of instant gratification. We must pause, heed Jesus' timeless call, and strive to follow the path of righteousness, recognizing that effort and perseverance are required. Our true reward comes not from worldly achievements, but from a devoted interior life aligned with God's will.

No war is won without a battle. No race is won without running. Simply, no pain, no gain. What a surprise awaits us in the heavenly home? Remember: Our successes and accomplishments are not the norms to receive rewards from heaven, but the interior life that seeks to do His will with utmost devotion and love for Him.

We cannot buy our way to heaven. Do not think that our good works can merit our passes to heaven. Some people even believe they can enter heaven with their money or with their religion. It is said that good works, money, and religion are useless without personal obedience to the will of God and the grace and mercy from Him, Jesus Christ. Grace is when God gives us good things we don’t deserve; mercy is when He spares us from bad things we deserve; blessings are when the Lord generously gives us His grace and mercy.