Swine And Gates

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.” (Matthew 7:6, 12-14)

When we offer something valuable or good to someone who does not know its value, then we are casting pearls before swine.  For example, if we offer good advice to someone, but he/she will not listen, then we have cast pearls before swine.  

We all have heard the expression “pearl of wisdom” meaning “a wise saying or piece of advice.” When that advice is given and rejected, in a way, the one who gives the advice can be “trampled” and “torn to pieces” with an angry response such as “I don’t need your stinking advice!”  Jesus appears to be saying, “Preach, but prepare to be rejected.”

Indeed, Jesus’ narrow road involves reflection, thoughtfulness, and careful discernment of what is right and wrong so an informed decision can be made.  It involves not relying on other people to make our decisions for us – the easy and wide-gate way.  

The broad road is like the one taken by a horde of lemmings following each other off a cliff.  It is herd mentality requiring little to no thought about whether the direction is correct – whether the decision is right and just.  We easily follow leaders to suit their needs and not the common good.  We don’t follow Jesus’ commandment: “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.”

Deacon David Pierce