The Narrow Gate

By DEACON ROBERT YERHOT, MSW

How closely do you follow Jesus? What is the "narrow gate” through which Jesus says you must pass to enter heaven?

Passionate love for Jesus and our neighbor gets us through the narrow gate. It keeps us on the less traveled road of our Catholic faith and off the freeways of an increasingly unChristian world that tempt us with speed and ease of passage. Indeed, living our Catholic faith today is difficult and often seems like a long hazardous trip on the back roads of life. Not many travel these roads anymore. Most prefer the ease and speed of the interstate highways, and we wonder why there are so many accidents!

Living our Catholic faith is also like running a marathon. Marathons demand a lot from the runner. The training and discipline are long and difficult. The gate to victory is narrow. If you don't passionately love    running, you are not  going to finish a marathon. Similarly, if you don't have a passionate love for Jesus you won't complete the difficult journey in your spiritual life.

Deacons are men who strive to enter through the narrow gate by giving their lives to God and accepting his will. They stay off the enticing wide open freeways, and stay on the road less traveled, the road that demands so much of them. Deacons live the extraordinary life of a martyr, giving witness to all that happened to Jesus.

What does the narrow gate look like in your life?    How narrow is it?

Love God and your neighbor with a passion! Whatever you do, do it for God and others. Whatever the narrow gate may look like for you, you will pass through it if you love from the heart, love to the point of suffering. This is indeed the narrow gate! Jesus shows us the way. God bless all of you!

Deacon Robert Yerhot serves the parishes of St. Mary in Caledonia and St. Patrick in Brownsville.