THE NARROW GATE

God's daily assurance to us is written in the 1st reading today. We should be thankful to God that with each passing day He never fail to remind us of His love and mercy that no matter what happens we should continue to be hopeful in the promises of God our Savior. Amen. Hallelujah!

Letter to the Romans 8,26-30.
"....We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose...."

If we continue to be faithful to God he will give us joy in our hearts, not just joy in good times but also a heart that overflows with gladness in all kinds of situation, a heart that beats for the Lord and will always find rest and satisfaction in Him. To belong in the flock of the Lord under the Good Shepherd's care makes us want for nothing more.Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalms 13:4-5, 6
R: My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.
3 [4] Look, answer me, O LORD, my God! Give light to my eyes that I may not sleep in death 4 [5] lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him”; lest my foes rejoice at my downfall. (R) 5 [6] Though I trusted in your mercy. Let my heart rejoice in your salvation; let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.” (R)

Allan had been training really hard to the point of having to wake up as early as 4am daily to swim at least 20 laps before going to school. On top of this is the need for him to comply with all the demands of his academic subjects. He had always been very positive with a lot of things and full of confidence with the rate he is going with his physical stamina. He trains rigorously and regularly. He is very committed to his goal and does everything that is needed in order for him to improve and excel. He has gone a long way already from that overweight kid in LSM (Lourdes School of Mandaluyong) Grade School to a varsity swimmer now in DLSU (De La Salle University). As far as his physical state is concerned, he has achieved his tip top shape. The gospel today mentions about the need to be strong enough to enter the narrow gate, I am sure that the strength being spoken of here is not the physical strength that we can build up through training and workout but the strength of our souls. If we can gain insight from this it is the fact that just like Allan's physical regimen, we need strength training, workout and dedication too for our souls to last through eternity. Perseverance is the key! Not everybody we expect to be first always turns out to be first. The present time is what counts and let us always choose the "narrow gate" that leads to God. May we always nourish our soul that we will cultivate a strong faith in God. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 13:22-30
22 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 narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. 25 After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ 26 And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ 27 Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”