In 2014 I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
PODCAST - Press sideways triangle below to listen
PODCAST - Press sideways triangle below to listen
Wed of 30th Week in Ordinary Time
St. Luke’s Institute
October 30, 2013
NARROW GATES
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Narrow gates
in Jerusalem
Ø Camel but no
extra provisions or cargo on it
JESUS &
NARROW GATES +++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Some
people ask Jesus: “Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
Ø Jesus’
response is: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate”
Ø The
question is: what is that “narrow gate” not in the walls of Jerusalem, but for us?
WHO WE ARE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Narrow
gate is honest admission of who we are
Ø It’s
realizing own littleness & world doesn’t revolve around me
Ø It’s
realizing we R bro/sr 2 every other human being, not above/beyond others, not
completely self-sufficient & that all we do impacts others
WAY OF
FORGIVENESS +++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Narrow
gate = way of forgiveness, letting go of vengeance or wishing ill to another
Ø It’s seeking
reconciliatn & peace wherever possible
Ø It’s
way of sacrificing 4 good of 1 other persn or for common good of all
Ø It’s
way of letting go negativity & affirming good
RECOGNIZING
NEED 4 GOD ++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Finally,
the narrow gate is the way of recognizing our need for God
Ø It is
the way of making time for personal prayer and community worship
CONCLUSION
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø With
all this unpacking of camel, so to speak, there’s no cause for discouragement
Ø Not
about all we don’t have, but passing thru gate into the city
Ø It’s
way of entering timelessness of eternity w/ G whom we’ve allowed 2 travel journey
of time w/ us
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø The "narrow door" is the honest confrontation
of who we are, what we believe, what we hear God asking us in the depths of our
hearts. The "narrow door" to God is difficult to enter - the
way of limitless love, unconditional forgiveness, sacrificial
selflessness. But Jesus promises that anyone willing to struggle through
these "narrow doors" will be welcomed into the eternal dwelling place
of his Father.
Ø Guide us, O Lord, through the narrow door. By the
light of your wisdom, may we see the way before us clearly and soberly,
recognizing the dangers and pitfalls and understand what we must do in order to
make our way safely through. By the hope of your grace, may we dare to
move forward, risking our own safety and comfort in order to create your
kingdom of peace and compassion in these moments you have given us
