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August 24, 2016In today’s Gospel Luke reminds us that Jesus was resolutely determined to make his way to Jerusalem. His decision to embark on such a journey was deeply rooted in his unwavering obedience to the Father. Yet, making such a decision must have been very difficult for Jesus, because he knew that his arrival in Jerusalem would ignite a series of events that would culminate with his death.
After writing the above paragraph I realized that those of us who have a chronic illness find ourselves in a similar situation. When I’m asked what’s it like to have Parkinson’s disease I respond by saying, that it’s like receiving a winter storm alert which says, “a severe winter storm has developed in the west and it is moving eastward. We don’t know how severe it will be, or when it will arrive – however, take the necessary precautions.” So, where does that leave us? Do we drop everything that we enjoy doing; or do we carry on with our lives and ministries as best as we can? Most of us, including Jesus, carry on as best as we can.)
So while Jesus and his disciples made their way to Jerusalem, they passed through various towns and villages. Rather than simply passing through these locations, they stopped and took time to minister to the poor, the sick, and the homeless. They took time to teach, heal and comfort God’s people.
On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus’ life and ministry was an example of how to be a faithful and loving disciple. After reaching Jerusalem - Jesus’ death and resurrection became gifts of love for each of us, enabling us to carry on his ministry.
Today it’s very common to hear people say that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, in fact, we used that statement in today’s penitential rite. However, it’s not often that we describe Jesus as a narrow door.
I found only three New Testament quotes which apply that statement to Jesus.-
Luke says ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door.’
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Matthew states: “It’ a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life.” And
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John writes most clearly, “Jesus told them this parable ‘I am the gate of the sheepfold …anyone who enters through me will be safe.”
(After writing that paragraph I once again received an insight that took me by surprise. My mom was taken to her eternal home 30 years ago on August 19th. I recalled the final hours of her life. She had been sipping on water most of that day. As she exhaled for the last time, a stream of clear liquid flowed out of the corner of her mouth. It immediately reminded me of the water and blood that poured out of Jesus’ side after he was pierced by a soldier’s lance. Not knowing what was happening to mom, I rushed to her bedside. I placed my left hand on her forehead and I placed my right hand on her hands that were lying on her belly and I silently prayed. While I was doing so, I had a distinct impression that a door was being held open for mom to pass through. I didn’t associate Jesus with a narrow door until a few moments ago. However, that’s how Jesus made his presence known to me on August 19, 1986)
Once we walk through that narrow door we will be recipients of a gift of love that is so pure and undefiled that no amount of money can buy it nor good works earn it. God will wrap His arms around us and we will discover the heart of Jesus and our hearts will beat as one.
We all know that in the twinkling of an eye, each of us can find ourselves standing before the throne of God. Our heart’s true desires will be exposed and judged by God who not only created us, but intimately know us. Psalm 139 tells us: “Lord, you examine me and know me, you know when I sit and when I stand, you understand my thoughts from afar. You watch when I walk or lie down; you know every detail of my conduct. A word is not yet on my tongue before you, Lord, know all about it.”
So, what must we do to be saved?
We must believe that Jesus is Lord --- and that he sits at the right hand of the Father. We must allow God’s grace to wipe clean our sinful nature and allow that grace to remove all shame, anger, resentment, sadness, and any other barrier that’s preventing us from walking through the narrow door.
We must be obedient to the Father’s command to love. We must not let the sun set on our anger. We must embrace our families with an everlasting hug and be attentive to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. We must be able to say that when we saw someone hungry, we fed them. When we saw someone thirsty, we gave them a drink, when we saw someone in distress, we comforted them.
Being a disciple of Jesus is not for the faint of heart.
So Jesus invites us to turn to him when the burden is light and when the burden is heavy. He invites us to turn to him in times of happiness, in times of confusion, and in times of mourning. He wants us to know that he shares our laughter and tears.
God called us to be part of his glorious creation and our heart’s true desire is to enter into a grace-filled relationship with Him. We are called to enter his kingdom through the narrow door that he holds open for us. Strive to enter the kingdom through that narrow door and allow your heart to beat as one with the heart of Jesus. Come, and you will discover God’s love, his mercy, and his compassion.
There are many paths that we can follow that will give a pleasure, but there is only one path that will be judged worthy of eternal life.
(On this past Friday I took my family to one of Fairport’s restaurants for dinner. By sheer “coincidence” I bumped into a parishioner and I noticed that he was walking with a cane. He shared that he recently had some back surgery. As we were wrapping up our conversation I asked him if I’d see him at Mass on Sunday. He immediately asked me, will you be singing during the homily? I responded – No. He responded, “I will come if you sing. Which prompted me to say, “if you come, I will sing”) This is what I came up with:
I will shout from the mountain top here is your God.
I will shout from the mountain top here is your God.
His name is: Jesus… Lamb of God… King of Kings… Morningstar.
I will shout from the mountain top here is your God.
I will shout from the mountain top here is your God.
His name is: Prince of Peace… Emmanuel… Rose of Sharon… Divine Consoler.
I will shout from the mountain top here is your God.
I will shout from the mountain top here is your God. -
