The Narrow Gate

Fr. Juan gave a great homily today. In it he referenced today's gospel from Luke 13:24 about the difficulty of entering Heaven through the narrow gate. Christ's teaching was clear. We need to examine our own lives and realize how unworthy we are instead of pointing our fingers at others. Fr. Juan focused on three actions that will help us squeeze through that narrow gate into God's Kingdom. The first was prayer. Pray always and everywhere whether it be in praise, thanksgiving or problem-solving. Bringing all our thoughts and deeds to God in prayer will keep our focus strong and help us avoid the petty thoughts, hatreds, and jealousies that trip us up.

The second action was forgiveness. How difficult it is to forgive a transgression and pray for God to bless and redeem the one who has wronged us or upset us. It is the best way, however, to move forward toward the narrow gate, free from spiteful or hateful thoughts. At Saint Joseph's School I am glad we have the opportunity to work with kids when they do something wrong and show them the path to that narrow gate Christ wants us all to pass through. In my public career it was often required to remove a student you could have helped due to the unyielding nature of no-tolerance policies that painted everyone with the same brush. As a Catholic school principal I have found success and satisfaction in redirecting students who committed certain infractions and showed remorse and a desire to redeem themselves. I believe that is what Christ desires and there is evidence, both anecdotal and statistical, that shows this to be a strength of Catholic schools over public schools. We have the time, talent and divine inspiration to to get kids back on track after they have committed a behavioral infraction.

The third action Fr. Juan shared was charity. Since we are all so richly blessed, we need to be charitable to others in Christ's holy name. That charity could easily show itself in financial donations to a variety of good causes. Perhaps more importantly, it also comes by having a charitable attitude toward others. A charitable attiude forgives and offers to help when someone struggles. It does not condemn. It does not demand harsh and destructive punishment when a wrong is done. Rather it seeks to repair the wrong and help the wrongdoer redeem themself. Students, and even parents, get made at each other once in awhile. Instead of focusing on their anger and seeking vengeance, they must learn first to be charitable and ask Christ for guidance and wisdom. Christ walked, talked, and ate with sinners. He preached to them and forgave them. He still forgives. He still redeems. He still points to the narrow gate that leads to salvation. Let's stop picking on others and walk to that narrow gate with them instead.