Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you”

Gospel Reading: 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."

In today’s gospel reading, we are called to, “Enter through the narrow gate”  This is the gate that enters to the kingdom of heaven.  The Gospel reading says, the road is constricted meaning that there is very little deviation from what is true and right.  We know it is not easy and, if fact, it is easier to do what is wrong and fall into the gate of destruction “for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction.”  Unfortunately “those who enter through it are many.” In our life, we must make choices between good and evil. We are constantly faced with a barrage of choices and mixed messages from our friends, from the media, and sometimes from those who we think are in charge. Evil is lurking everywhere and is trying to entice us into its snare. We need to be strong and rely on our faith to carry us through these situations and to provide the knowledge to make the proper choices in life.  I know you have seen the message, “What Would Jesus Do?”  But today’s message is quite clear, “What would Jesus want us to do?”  He tells us not to throw away what is important and to cherish those that are dear to us. 

Modern medicine has made several advances which have made life “more convenient.” There are now pills to help with high cholesterol, obesity, blood pressure, and many other aliments which we suffer because of our choices in life.  While these pills help to correct the problem, there are generally better non-pill alternatives like exercise and healthy diets which also work and lack the side effects of the pills. We chose the pills because they are easier. Likewise, medicine has given us pills that prevent birth and pills that will abort a child. These pills are also out of “convenience” because we are selfish and want to avoid the blessing that God gives us through life. We take these pills because we don’t want to be burdened with a child. The wide gate is very easy to go through and it requires no effort at all. But the narrow gate must be carefully traversed to make it through. The narrow gate is so small that we must enter on our knees.  We must humble ourselves to our master.

Life is not simple and we all struggle with the choices that are thrown in front us. There is not a person on earth that does not have to agonize with these types of decisions on a daily basis. Sometimes those decisions are not popular and you may lose some of your friends. But you have to ask yourself, is that person really a friend if they are going to lead me down the wrong path. The bible tells us that we should not “walk with the wicked” but to rejoice in the “law of the Lord.” We are called to live by the commandments that God has given us. We have to decide between the way of life and the way of death. It is much easier to make good decisions around good people then it is when you are being pressured to make bad choices while among your peers. Choosing this way of life is not easy, but it has the greatest reward – to be united with our Father in Heaven. Every night before you go to bed, you should examine your soul to decide which choices you made that day. In the morning, when you awaken in the new life of a new day, you should ask God to give you a clear map to guide you through the narrow gate. Remember, a map is not always easy to read, you must constantly be aware of the forks in the road.

A Simple Prayer

Most Heavenly Father of all that is great,

Open my Heart to your ways.

Allow me to see the light that will lead me through the narrow gate to heaven.

Give me strength to avoid the easy paths that lead evil.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon