Narrow Gate

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)

How many of us follow the crowd without giving any serious thought as to why we voluntarily join the group, or party?  A wide gate is tempting because there is no waiting, just the ability to quickly move on through without thinking if we really should.  We get carried along with the crowd.  It’s somewhat like mass hysteria.  For example, if they are afraid, then we should feel the same way.  Propagandists are quite skilled at this motivation for us to do their bidding.  They cry, “Be afraid!”  When we respond, “Yes!”, we travel a broad road that can lead to destruction by compromising our values and morals.  

Therefore, let’s always enter through the narrow gate causing us first to pause, do some critical thinking, weigh our options, and then do what Jesus would do.  We decide whether we should enter.  If we do, and then find the narrow path of independent thinking free of crowd bias and prejudice, we will find ourselves on the road that leads to life.  In this day and age and political climate too few of us choose the narrow gate.

Deacon David Pierce