Jesus passed through towns and
villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few
people be saved?”
How would you answer this question?
What would you say? I still
remember what a nun said one day in Faith Formation (CCD). She said, “Everyone
goes to heaven.” Now that I look
back at it, I think that was the moment I stopped believing in God. Although I was a child, I could still think
for myself. And I kept thinking to
myself, “If everyone goes to heaven, then
why be good?”
Now, if you were taught (other than on Halloween night) about “fire and brimstone”, and that only a few
souls go to heaven, then at least you were taught by someone who was a bit more
knowledgeable of Scripture.
Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching. I do not teach or preach fire and brimstone (at least I don’t
think I do). What I try to teach or preach
is what Christ taught and preached: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.”
I have met a lot of people throughout my life. Most of them are still my friends. They come from different parts of the world;
they speak in various languages; they are poor; they are rich; they are
married; they are single; they are men; they are women. Some are dead, most are alive. But what unites us all together is what we
share in common: suffering.
Life is difficult. It is really
difficult! It is difficult for me and
for you. Why try to fool yourself? Actually, why are we trying to fool our
children? Why do we hide from them our
failures, faults, weaknesses, difficulties, trials and tribulations? Why are we stunting their maturity, their growth?
Yesterday, a young mother passed away, leaving her young kids
behind. A week ago, a child was playing a
game outside and hit her head against the cement sidewalk. Today, she still struggles with walking. A few days ago, a man lost his job and his
wife was diagnosed with a rare disease. They
have two grown children in college. All
these things have brought very strong men to their knees. I know.
I have seen it for myself.
Many will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. We are not as strong as we think we are. We really aren’t. We are not as secure as we think we are, and 9/11 should be a constant reminder for
all of us. We are not as powerful as we
think we are, and Sandy is just one
of many kinds of storms we will run away from or die from in our lives.
The problem isn’t that we are not strong or secure or powerful enough. The problem is…we think we are.
So, instead of living more modestly and relying more on family, we think
we can live in debt and that our friends or government will always come to our
rescue. Instead of acknowledging the
strength and power that comes from religion, we think we can ignore it and solve
every single international conflict with high-tech weapons and consumer
goods. We will not. Our enemies have proven their courage to
fight, and their willingness to die.
We can be much stronger.
We really can, but only if we begin to strengthen our foundations, our “unions”;
that is, our marriages, children, families and faith. If we do, then we will rebuild The Union.
Out of all the lies people have created, and actually believed in, the
biggest and longest on-going lie has been this one: Security through possession.
This security through possession
is known by various names: career, infrastructures,
friends, money, savings, investments, eating-right, etc… These are the supposed
“lifelines” or means to success, happiness, love and fulfillment.
Now I know that those who believe it will deny it. But they actually live by it. They even say it: My
career is my life. My friends are my real
family. My dogs are my children. My money is my guarantee. My soap opera is my religion. My savings are my insurance. Eating healthy and right will keep me healthy
and alive.
I think the good news is that if someone can believe in all these lies,
then it won’t be difficult for them to believe in the truth; that is, in God. Reality is on our side. Reality slaps us back to the truth.
Strive through the narrow gate.
How about we try something different, something that works, something new
but actually old? Something that costs
very little yet produces great results.
It is not unheard of that a little lock opened the door to a great mansion. It’s not uncommon to find cheap solutions to
complex problems. Not everything in life
has to be expensive. Instead of our
schools investing in therapists and counselors, police officers and in metal
detectors, why not create a little bit of time for prayer? It doesn’t cost a thing! It’s natural.
If we outlawed prayer in a school just because of one student, wouldn’t
it be worth it if it helped just one student?
Faith is not a crutch. It is a
lifesaver! It does not help us to fall
asleep at night; it helps us to get through the day when our days are dark.
Life is not easy…for anyone.
Strive. What? Strive.
Do something? Yes, the Lord
invites us to strive to pass through the
narrow gate. We are supposed to work for
it. We are supposed to do something. Strive
sounds a lot like try, and the words
may actually be related.
How can we do it if we are not strong enough? Through
Him, with Him and in Him.
What is the narrow gate? It is a
person. Jesus Christ. Strive
to live your life through Him, with Him and in Him. And you will find yourself…on His side.
