THREE D's
Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time
Mt 7:6.12-14
What are behind doors? A new world.
What is beyond heaven’s gate? A totally whole new world. Not only a better world, but the best world.
The gate that leads to heaven is narrow though. If we want to enter through it, what should we do?
When the gate is narrow, we should not rush getting through it. We must pause and discern before we move. The same is true if we want to enter heaven’s gate. We must be able to stop from our busy lives and discern the ways of the Lord because we can enter through heaven’s gate only through the Lord’s ways.
When the gate is narrow, we must enter it alone. Of course, no one can enter the gate for us. We ourselves must enter through it. But that is not only what entering heaven’s gate means. Entering heaven’s gate alone means that we hold on to nothing and no one, that we are free from any inordinate attachments. Too many baggage and attachments hinder anyone from entering through heaven’s narrow gate. We need to learn the spiritual art of detachment as we strive to cling to the Lord alone.
When the gate is narrow, we may have to shed off some of our body fats. We may enter the narrow gate sideways, but still we cannot enter it if our tummy bulges. The same is true with entering heaven’s narrow gate. Our body fats may symbolize our self-indulgences. We have to shed them off. Overweight can sometimes reveal over self-centeredness. We need to go on a spiritual kind of dieting that demands spiritual discipline.
Discernment, detachment, and discipline – these three recommendations certainly help anyone go through a narrow gate. As far as heaven’s narrow gate is concerned, prayer, almsgiving or charitable works, and fasting may well take the definite forms of discernment, detachment, and discipline. Discernment happens in prayer. Detachment means letting go and sharing with others what we have. Spiritual discipline in the form of fasting involves not exclusively and not always food.
Entering a narrow gate is indeed difficult but not impossible. Entering through heaven’s narrow gate is impossible for man but not for God. Heaven is always God’s gift; and it always pleases the Father to give us the Kingdom. But still, we must enter through its narrow gate.
Mt 7:6.12-14
What are behind doors? A new world.
What is beyond heaven’s gate? A totally whole new world. Not only a better world, but the best world.
The gate that leads to heaven is narrow though. If we want to enter through it, what should we do?
When the gate is narrow, we should not rush getting through it. We must pause and discern before we move. The same is true if we want to enter heaven’s gate. We must be able to stop from our busy lives and discern the ways of the Lord because we can enter through heaven’s gate only through the Lord’s ways.
When the gate is narrow, we must enter it alone. Of course, no one can enter the gate for us. We ourselves must enter through it. But that is not only what entering heaven’s gate means. Entering heaven’s gate alone means that we hold on to nothing and no one, that we are free from any inordinate attachments. Too many baggage and attachments hinder anyone from entering through heaven’s narrow gate. We need to learn the spiritual art of detachment as we strive to cling to the Lord alone.
When the gate is narrow, we may have to shed off some of our body fats. We may enter the narrow gate sideways, but still we cannot enter it if our tummy bulges. The same is true with entering heaven’s narrow gate. Our body fats may symbolize our self-indulgences. We have to shed them off. Overweight can sometimes reveal over self-centeredness. We need to go on a spiritual kind of dieting that demands spiritual discipline.
Discernment, detachment, and discipline – these three recommendations certainly help anyone go through a narrow gate. As far as heaven’s narrow gate is concerned, prayer, almsgiving or charitable works, and fasting may well take the definite forms of discernment, detachment, and discipline. Discernment happens in prayer. Detachment means letting go and sharing with others what we have. Spiritual discipline in the form of fasting involves not exclusively and not always food.
Entering a narrow gate is indeed difficult but not impossible. Entering through heaven’s narrow gate is impossible for man but not for God. Heaven is always God’s gift; and it always pleases the Father to give us the Kingdom. But still, we must enter through its narrow gate.
posted by Fr. Bobby @ 3:00 PM
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