June 25, 2024
12th Week of Ordinary Time
‘Narrow the Gate’
How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.
Matthew 7:14

A few sentences earlier, Matthew reminded us that Jesus said the whole Law and the prophets—everything Israel believed and lived—was contained in this: to treat others as you would want to be treated. That is, to truly love the person right in front of you. That doesn’t mean to love everyone and everything at all times (only God can do this) but to will the good of this one person, however small and insignificant he or she might seem, however costly or simple the task of loving that person might be.

No wonder Jesus says the gate is small, the way constricted. By this narrow way, he guides us, as a baby is guided through the birth canal.

Sometimes, we look everywhere else for God’s will and think we have to escape our lives to reach salvation. No, it is here where you are. It is within your soul, as close as the person next to you, as small and as great as their need of love and compassion

Alleluia!

- Mary Marrocco

2 Kings 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36 • Psalm 48:2-4, 10-11 • Matthew 7:6, 12-14
Narrow access path to a wooden garden gate. Photo by Christian Müller | stock.adobe.com
Image of the day

Comments

June 26, 2024 at 01:05 PM

Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

June 26, 2024 at 09:46 AM

Ken! Thank you for remembering me in your Memorare to Mary! You made my heart smile out loud!❣️. God Bless Us All And All Who We Love.

June 25, 2024 at 11:59 AM

This devotional makes me think about those people who change lanes all the time in an attempt to get to their destination quickly. I was a lane changer in life. The narrow and constricted path was just that. Sadly the wide road and ever-changing lanes led to a life filled with sin, guilt, worry, anxiety, fear, etc. Once I completely accepted Christ and laid my years of sin at his feet I realized that the narrow and constricted path was filled with freedom, joy, forgiveness, grace, eternal life, and more.

Anne
June 25, 2024 at 12:53 PM

Beautifully honest witness to the power of Jesus’ amazing life changing love. Thank you for sharing.

June 25, 2024 at 11:31 AM

*** Indeed, the golden rule Jesus taught in Matthew 7:12, "In everything, do to others (all - no exceptions) what you would want them to do to you. This is what is written in the Law and in the Prophets!" *** Then Jesus taught about life (narrow gate) and death (wide gate) in Matthew 7:13-14, "Enter God’s Kingdom through the narrow gate. The gate is large and the road is wide that leads to ruin. Many people go that way. But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to life. Only a few people find it!" *** You see, the wide gate that leads to death is when people believe "all religions are good and God has different names depending on your religion :-( You are good, I am good, everyone is good) BUT the narrow gate that leads to life is through Jesus only in John 14:6, "Jesus answered, “I am the Way (the narrow gate) and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me!" ******* Here is what love looks like in Romans 5:8, "But here is how God has shown His love for us. While we were still sinners (all of us), Christ died for us (all of us)." *** Love like Jesus in John 15:12, "Here is My command. Love one another, just as I have loved you!" *** Love when you don't feel/want to in Luke 6:32-33, "Suppose you love those who love you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even sinners love those who love them. And suppose you do good to those who are good to you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even sinners do that!" *** My prayer in Ephesians 3:16-19, "I pray that He will use His glorious riches to make you strong. May His Holy Spirit give you His power deep down inside you. Then Christ will live in your hearts because you believe in Him. And I pray that your love will have deep roots. I pray that it will have a strong foundation. May you have power together with all the Lord’s holy people to understand Christ’s love. May you know how wide and long and high and deep it is. And may you know His love, even though it can’t be known completely. Then you will be filled with everything God has for you!" Amen!!!

June 25, 2024 at 11:02 AM

Bill S. If you haven't read the responses to your comment of yesterday, do so now. Especially the comment left by Stormy. Trust in God and be at peace.

Bill S
June 26, 2024 at 12:17 AM

I read every comment posted to my comment yesterday. They were helpful. My boys are all good young men, they have good jobs and work hard to support their families. I need to let go of what I want them to do and continue to show them how to live a life of faith by the example that I have shown them over the past 10-1/2 years. Thank you LFF for your kindness and caring.

June 25, 2024 at 10:10 AM

Living faith family I like to share this. Names in quotes "" are mine. Memorare Remember, most gracious Virgin Mary, [that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions for"" Stormy, Pam the two Bills Kevin, Carl, Jane and her more positive relationships with her supervisor, Chris's medical issues, Debbie and her daughter Anna, Stephanie and Christine who's her caregiver Terry and Dennis, Souls in purgatory and those souls who have no one to pray for them. "" Mother in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen Ken

June 25, 2024 at 09:05 AM

AMEN!

June 25, 2024 at 08:09 AM

"it is here where you are" Amen :)

June 25, 2024 at 08:06 AM

Amen. :)

June 25, 2024 at 07:58 AM

Quote: Let us learn to feel for the ills that our neighbors suffer, & we will learn to endure the ills they inflict." St. John Chrysostom

June 25, 2024 at 07:28 AM

Great reading, but Christ does call us to love all people. Amen

June 25, 2024 at 07:24 AM

Amen.☮️

June 25, 2024 at 06:53 AM

Awesome reading

June 25, 2024 at 05:58 AM

Amen

Narrow access path to a wooden garden gate. Photo by Christian Müller | stock.adobe.com
Image of the day

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