The Narrow Door

Todays Gospel reminds me of the parable of the 5 wise and 5 foolish virgins with their oil lamps, as also of Jesus’ statement of the Last Judgement scenario of the sheep and goats.

The question asked is, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And Jesus is not answering that question. He is not saying many or few, but how one and all can be saved. He is putting a condition for the people to be saved. He is not saying the good people will be saved, or the holy people will be saved, or the Pharisees or teachers of the Law will be saved. No he is saying, everyone who strives, makes efforts to be good and proper, in accordance with (in the understanding he has given in His teachings), they are the ones who will be saved. He is not saying that people will be super successful in being good. He is actually is saying, everyone who strives/keeps trying to be good, will also find failure, but those that still pick up the cross of their failure, and still continue to stive to be good, such people will be saved.

When you read it like the above text, we are reminded that John 3:16, is by itself not the guarantee of salvation, yes we need to read John 3:36 with it. John 3: 36 says, ‘Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.‘ It is basically saying, belief is belief when you live what you believe, it is not a vocal acceptance only, but something that you live and base your life on…

The path and door of following Jesus & living according to what he desires of us is narrow. Narrow because, it is hard and unsettling. It transforms, removes everything belonging to the world and reveals everything that is of God, below… But it need not be a sorrowful journey, invite Jesus to be next to you, take His hands in yours, ask Him all the questions you would like, and you will journey in the Joy He brings to your life…