Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Matthew 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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you have entrusted me with awesome gifts. I am a steward of the sacred. I have received the natural gift of life and the supernatural gift of eternal life. I receive the Body and Blood of your Son in the Eucharist and your mercy in Reconciliation. Do not let me cast these gifts away but guide me to use them as I journey on the narrow path to you.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Bringing the Sermon to a Close with the Golden Rule: In Matthew 7, Jesus begins to conclude the Sermon on the Mount with a series of insights into how we should live in the Kingdom of God. The Gospel Jesus preached, and the Kingdom he established, are holy and like pearls entrusted to us. Jesus commands us not to misuse or waste these gifts. We should not profane what is sacred. Jesus summarizes his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount with the golden rule: “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” Ultimately, what we desire is love – to be in a loving relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters. We want God and others to be merciful toward us, and so we are called to practice mercy. We want to be forgiven by God and by others, and so we are called to forgive. We want God and others to be truthful, faithful, and just, and so we are called to be truthful, faithful, and just. We want others to use their material wealth for the good of society and the poor, and so we are called to use our material goods properly.

2. The Narrow Gate: Human life is often presented in the Bible as a choice between two ways. For example, the story of Adam and Eve centered on a choice. They could choose to love and obey God and eat from the Tree of Life, or they could reject and disobey God and eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. In the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses placed before the People of Israel death and misery, life and happiness (Deuteronomy 30:1-5). He urged them to choose life! Jesus also uses the image of two different paths that lead to two different outcomes. There is a wide gate and road that many choose, which leads to destruction and death. There is also a narrow gate and road that few find, which leads to flourishing and life.

3. Walking the Way of Christ: The narrow gate and path are not merely a set of rules; they are the person of Jesus Christ himself: He is the Way. To enter through the narrow gate and to walk on the path that leads there is to embrace the way of discipleship revealed in the Sermon on the Mount. It means choosing humility over pride, forgiveness over resentment, generosity over selfishness, and trust in God over anxiety. The broad road is attractive because it requires little sacrifice and allows us to follow our own desires of pleasure, possessions, and power. The narrow way, however, calls for conversion and perseverance in self-denial, renunciation, and humility. It is the path that leads to true freedom, for it conforms us to Christ and prepares us for communion with God. Every day presents countless opportunities to choose between these two ways. By God’s grace, each act of faith, hope, and charity becomes another step along the road that leads to life.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, the narrow gate and road are the path you took. I want to follow you on that path and carry my cross each day. Strengthen my resolve to continue on the way that leads to eternal life with the Father and the Church in glory.

Living the Word of God: Which gate and road have you chosen? If you are on the wide path, ask God to show you the narrow path and place you on it. If you are already on the narrow path, who can you invite to join you as you journey toward eternal life? Ask God to enlighten you in prayer as to why the path is narrow.