Today’s gospel is full of challenge. It begins with a question, one we would all like answered, though we might not all have the courage to ask it:
“Sir, will there be only a few saved?”
The challenge becomes apparent in Jesus’ response
“Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because I tell you many will try to enter and will not succeed.”
We live in a world that claims to offer limitless individual freedom and choice. This is a compelling myth. So it’s hardly surprising then that we find the idea of any sort of limitation or restriction at best challenging and at worst an outrageous infringement of rights.
The Kingdom Jesus promises is not about individual rights. It’s about love, kindness, compassion and inclusion. If this kingdom is to become a reality in our daily lives we have to walk away from that beguiling myth. We have to acknowledge that we can’t have everything we want, do everything we want, be everything we want.
To choose the way of the kingdom we have to, like the first disciples, leave something behind. We have to discern what is life-giving and what isn’t. Then, we have to put down those things that aren’t life-giving. That’s relatively easy when we are faced with things that we know are bad for us.
It’s much harder when are called to put aside something that is good and life-giving for the common good or for the good of another. But, if we want to get through that narrow door Jesus talks of that is what we are called to do.
What is Christ calling you to put aside for the sake of the kingdom today?