The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our sense that the Goodness and Love of God will guide us, through the Spirit, to make difficult decisions that fulfil our experience of life.
The Narrow Door
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans offers reassurance as we work for good.
that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.1
Psalm 13 is a prayer for Deliverance from Enemies. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus describes the Narrow Door.
Eileen Burke-Sullivan comments that too often in the history of Israel (and in the history of the New Israel, the Christian Church) the message of God has been misinterpreted – one could say turned insight out, and God’s people are going the exactly wrong way when they believe they are following God’s desires.
I wish in many ways it were easier. I wish I could be sure that I am marked by Baptism as “saved;” I wish the Cross was for other Christians. I even could wish the path was more clearly marked. But it wasn’t easier for Jesus and His way is the only way I want to proceed. As ordinary time draws to its end point the Church reminds me that the way of Jesus and the Father is also the way of the Spirit. If I want to belong to Christ’s Kingdom and hear his voice of welcome rather than rejection, I need to beg the Spirit for the gift to discern today’s section of the path, so that I might be faithful to a way that is so contradictory to the world’s way. I want to be one of those who comes from the west to recline at Jesus’ table in God the Father’s Reign.2
Don Schwager quotes “To enter the narrow door,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"'Wide is the door, and broad the way that brings down many to destruction.' What are we to understand by its broadness? ...A stubborn mind will not bow to the yoke of the law [the commandments of God]. This life is cursed and relaxed in all carelessness. Thrusting from it the divine law and completely unmindful of the sacred commandments, wealth, vices, scorn, pride and the empty imagination of earthly pride spring from it. Those who would enter in by the narrow door must withdraw from all these things, be with Christ and keep the festival with him."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 99)3
The Word Among Us Meditation on Romans 8:26-30 comments that we can all relate to feeling trapped by our struggles or sin patterns. Yet like the first disciples, we also have the Holy Spirit living in us. And it is especially when we are feeling weak that we should ask him to come and help us. The key, however, is to try to remain open to whatever the Spirit wants to accomplish in us.
Being open to the Spirit is not a passive pursuit. It requires faith—first, that the Spirit will come to our aid, and second, that he can accomplish more than we can ask or imagine. It’s an active faith that doesn’t put limits on the Lord and his work in us. Today, take a few moments to ask the Lord, “How can I yield more to the Holy Spirit when I’m feeling weak? How can I let him move more freely in my life?” Then open your heart to the Spirit and ask him in! “Holy Spirit, you are welcome here—in my heart, in my mind, and in my life.”4
Friar Jude Winkler shares insight about the readings today.
Richard Rohr, OFM, comments on the role of contemplation and action around the theme of Original Goodness in our Way of life. We are called to cooperate with the purpose of God for our lives. The Spirit guides our freedom.
References
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