Today’s 1st reading is kind of special because it is one of the things that I first learned when I became a charismatic and it has never left my memory. It is something that I always remember especially when I encounter people who have lived very long. It’s funny how I always ask old people if they have honored their parents well. This promise does not just say long life but it may also go well. If we sometimes get disappointed with the promises that people make, we can always count on the promises of God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Ephesians 6:1-9
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise, 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on earth.”
The Lord has always been faithful and not a single moment would He ever not be. If this is so true for us then we ought to do as the psalm reading today tells us. All our thoughts, words and actions should reflect how great our God is. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 13cd-14
R: The Lord is faithful in all his words.
10 Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your faithful ones bless you. 11 Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might. (R) 12 Making known to men your might and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations. (R) The LORD is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works. 14 The LORD lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.
I just met this old lady several months ago and she will be celebrating her birthday in 3 weeks. She will turn 89 on her birthday. Her loved ones are going to throw a party for her and she was told that she needs to be strong enough by that time so that she can enjoy it. She said that it was not easy for her to do her daily walking exercises most especially after she had fallen. She has become so unstable every time she stands up to walk but she painstakingly works on it despite the difficulty it is causing her. This bible passage from today's gospel somehow reminded me of it. I can't help but think of her the moment I read it. I could remember very well the words, strong enough was specifically spoken to her. She knows what is required of her to achieve this as advised by her Physical Therapist (PT), to keep on walking as much as she can. We can see from the reading that Jesus advised the man to strive to enter through the narrow gate. It is not like anybody can just enter the narrow gate since it is stated that not all will be strong enough to do so. Just like this old lady who commits to her physical regimen despite her discomfort in order to achieve her goal, we too should devise a plan on how to be strong enough on that final day. It is never easy for an old lady who just suffered a fall and is afflicted with other illnesses to do such a thing. I have heard a lot of amusing statements on growing old like, “It isn’t any fun getting old, growing old ain’t for sissys, stay young and never grow old.” I guess being old in itself is already a narrow door that we have to face with God’s grace if ever we will be given the chance. We all have our discomforts and difficulties that we have to tackle in life. Let us keep our eyes focused on our goals which will not just benefit us in this lifetime but for eternity. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 13:22-30
Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrowgate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.
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