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.
Speaking along the same lines as the Lord in today's gospel, Saint Paul urged his disciples to run so as to win:
Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize?
Winning a foot race is, by definition, a very narrow gate; and the Christian disciples should run so as to win.
In the secular sphere, in 2005, Tom Friedman, columnist with the New York Times, warned American students that "The World is Flat!" meaning that your being American gives you no advantage over Asian or South American students. He was teaching at the time and knew the indolence of university students. He warned them, you don't live on a higher plane than anyone else! Chinese and Indian students have access to the Internet; and sometimes it's better than yours. They're studying hard, and they'll eat your lunch if you are not prepared for serious competition from young people all over the world. "Run so as to win!"
Many American Protestants believe "once saved, always saved." Some Catholic mystics, enthrall of the Most Blessed Sacrament, said that anyone receiving the Eucharist once in their life is saved. We can appreciate their enthusiasm for the beautiful sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist without misinterpreting their teaching. They're not saying anyone gets a free pass out of hell or first class fare to heaven.
While we believe in God's benevolence, mercy, and patience, there is nonetheless a Judgment Day. On that day there will be real consequences for the decisions and behaviors of each one's life. To suppose that everyone will go to heaven is to say nothing in human life matters; good deeds are not preferred to wicked; nor need the wicked face their victims and atone for their misdeeds. Without a Day of Reckoning, nothing in this life of struggle, hardship, and disappointment means anything. Our loudly declaimed belief at Mass -- "It is right and just" -- becomes bombast before such a vain belief.
Strive to enter through the narrow gate is an insistent invitation to the Holiness of God. Many are called, but few are chosen.
If, in the end, there are more winners than we expected, we can thank God that so many heard and accepted the challenge to be holy, human, and fully alive.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.