Above: Christ the Good Shepherd, stained glass in St. Mary's church in Buckland, UK. Photo by Father Lawrence Lew, O.P.
How often do we ask or seek to know just how much, or rather how little we must do to accomplish something? Often we want to accomplish the task but with just enough effort, not too much. Often teachers are asked, “Do we have to do…?” One time, hearing this question, the response came, “Education is supposed to be about learning as much as we can, not as little as we have to.” Jesus is in the midst of the Sermon on the Mount. He has given us the Beatitudes as our guide. He has taught us how to pray by giving us the Our Father. Now, in today’s Gospel, He is telling us not be calculating. “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.” Let our focus be on that narrow gate. Don’t go for the minimum, go for the gold!
St. Dominic didn’t look to see how little he could do and still get to Heaven. He desired all souls to be saved. That’s why he gave his days to God’s people and his nights to God. He wept because souls were being lost.
How do we look at God’s Word? Do we see it as God’s message to us, His plan for us to get to Heaven? St. Paul tells us that we should try to outdo each other in doing good. Imagine what our homes, our schools, and our workplaces would be like if we really tried to do this. Try it…just for today!
St. Dominic, most zealous for the salvation of souls, pray for us!
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