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Gospel: Matthew 7: 6, 12-14
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine,
lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the Law and the Prophets.
“Enter through the narrow gate;
for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction,
and those who enter through it are many.
How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.
And those who find it are few.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Many of you know I’m traveling to World Youth Day in Portugal in a few weeks. While I’m super excited about the pilgrimage itself, one thing I’m dreading is the airport. It’ll be packed with travelers — pilgrims from our own group, included.
After hopping off the bus, checking our bags, and shuffling our way through a long line of anxious passengers, each of us will have to go through that “narrow gate” of security.
Inevitably, there will be a TSA agent there reminding us to empty our pockets, remove your jackets, belts, and shoes, and to place our luggage on the conveyor belt before walking through the metal detector.
That “narrow gate” has no room for our luggage; we ourselves can barely fit!
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Isn’t that also appropriate image for life?
We’re all just passing through. In the end, each of us will make our way through that “narrow gate” of death … with none of our possessions in tow.
All we can take with us are the good works we’ve done for others, memories of our loved ones, and the faith we’ve nurtured along the way.
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So, what acts of charity will I bring? What memories have I made? How deep is the faith I’ve nurtured?
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“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,” Jesus says, “for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.”
Only those who realize what matters most: love of God and love of neighbor. That’s all that remains in the end – not the things that can be seen, but those that are felt by the heart.
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Image credits: (1) Cogito (2) Wheelchair Travel (3) Nationwide Children’s Hospital