sunset

June 21, 2005

The Narrow Gate Mt 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 narrow gate leads to life. Be kind to others, treat them as I would want to be treated but do not waste what is holy on those who would not use it properly. It takes wisdom and insight to see when giving is only throwing "pearls before swine." There are times that a gift to an addict or destructive person only causes more misery and pain rather than relieving the suffering.

It seems to me that the path to destruction is the great wide way much easier and less effort than God's way. I think it is a matter that sometimes people just fall into it and can't seem to pull themselves out.

At so many times in my own life, my level of awareness of my own direction and the meaning and value of what I was doing was really quite minimal. My sense of what was important was not finely tuned or embued with wisdom. I am so grateful that I have had a spriritual awakening in my life and a conversion, a turning back, to God and the narrow gate.