Gate

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Gate

First/Last

Offering     Personal     Relationship

Where Are You From?

Strive

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Luke 13: 25

Jesus was responding to someone who was asking Him a question about how many people would be saved. Jesus mentioned that the gate would be narrow, and we have to strive to enter it and then He said:

"After the master of the house has gotten up and locked the door, you will be standing outside knocking on the door and imploring, 'Lord, open the door.'

He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.'"

Reflection

Gates can be very inviting. When I go past a gate, I am always wondering about what is on the other side. 

Some gates are attractive, and others look like they need a little repair. As I go through a gate, I am hopeful that something wonderful awaits me. 

The gate that Jesus talks about in our reading from Luke seems like it is a very challenging one. Jesus says it is very narrow, and we have to strive to get through it. It will take a lot of effort. It is the gate that leads to salvation.

Jesus mentions that those who want to be first through the gate will wind up being last. We have all had the experience of people who are very pushy and force themselves to the front of the line. They don't care about others. 

Jesus is saying that those people will wind up at the end of the salvation line. They are too selfish. They are going to have a hard time getting through the gate.

To get through the salvation gate we have to offer ourselves completely to Jesus and to those in need. Our offering is based on our personal relationship with Jesus.

We want to follow Jesus and imitate His example. He did not come to ask others to serve Him. He came to serve others----to heal the sick, to speak to the outcasts, to lift up those who had been trampled down by those in power.

If we have that personal relationship with Jesus and strive to follow His teaching, He will not ask us where we are from because He will know what is in our hearts. He will know that we are from His kingdom, that we are part of His family, that we desire only to follow Him more completely.

The gate is narrow, but Jesus shows us the way. All we have to do is strive to follow Him.

When we ask Him to open the gate for us, we will find that it is already open, and He is waiting for us with open arms.

Enjoy the embrace!

1. What are some gates that you remember going through?

2. What is your image of the gate of salvation?

3. How are you going to get through the salvation gate?

4. What will Jesus say to you at the salvation gate?

5. What do you feel as you contemplate Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)

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