30 October 2019 - gate-ful

Today's Readings

(Audio)

Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.

We want to enter the kingdom. We strive to do so. But what happens when we discover that we are not strong enough?

The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.

The Spirit himself will cause the door to be opened for us. Whereas in our own strength we will be frustrated, left outside to hear the words, 'I do not know where you are from', if we let the Spirit intercede for us we will be recognized.

And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the Spirit,
because he intercedes for the holy ones
according to God's will.

It is the Spirit that makes us sons and daughters of God. 

For those he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
so that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers. 

Many people will come into the Kingdom from the east and the west and from the north and the south. Let us not be those who are locked out due to presumption.

And you will say,
'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'
Then he will say to you,
'I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!'

It isn't enough to know about Jesus. It isn't enough to sit in mass and say our prayers. We may feel OK in such conditions, not threatened, and unchallenged. Yet we need his Spirit to be alive within us, transforming us, calling out to God on our behalf. With the Spirit leading us it may feel like much is going wrong, like many doors are closing, but we know that from that point on it is all made to serve a higher purpose.

We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.

It is the LORD who longs to give light to our eyes. He desires to make everything serve our greater to good, to pray from within the depths of our souls so as to be heard before the throne. 

Let my heart rejoice in your salvation;
let me sing of the LORD, "He has been good to me."