The lonely road to the narrow gate

Good News ReflectionTuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary TimeJune 23, 2009
Today's Saint: Etheldredahttp://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Etheldreda.htm
Today's Readings:Gen 13:2, 5-18Ps 15:1-5Matt 7:6, 12-14http://www.usccb.org/nab/062309.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_23.mp3
The lonely road to the narrow gate
Have you ever felt lonely because of your Christian faith? Do you have enough companions on the road of holiness? When Jesus said (as we see in today's Gospel reading) that the road to heaven is narrow, he had a dozen guys who lived in close community with him, several women friends (often including his mother), and a large contingent of followers who learned enough from him to go out and preach and heal and cast out demons.
But the road to Calvary was going to be mighty lonely.
Holiness is a rough road to travel, not only because we keep tripping over our own tendencies to sin, but also because we meet co-journeyers who choose not to stay the course. We also run into the dogs and swine that Jesus mentioned — people who don't want to accept the truth about life in Christ nor put full effort into becoming more saintly. They join us on this road but they either attack the faith or they attack us and leave us sitting on the curb weary and wounded.
And while we wait for someone to come by and tend to our wounds, we notice that too few stop to help, too few understand our needs, and too few are healed enough of their own wounds to give us what we need. Did God intend for us to feel so alone? No, because we are not alone!
When Jesus needed more from his friends, who were too few or too sleepy, he went to the Father. We will always feel somewhat lonely here on earth, because the Father's embrace is not a physical hug, but we never need to feel alone. A habit of deep prayer puts us in touch with the reality that God is with us every step of the way. Jesus is right beside us, holding our hand, kissing our wounds, crying with our hurts, laughing at our jokes, dancing in our joys.
Human companionship is equally important. Jesus spent personal time with those who became especially close to him. Even while he suffered on the cross, he experienced the undying love and loyalty of two: his mother and John. As you hang on your own cross, who is at the foot of it, weeping? If you can't see someone there, ask Jesus to open your eyes.
When Jesus promised that he'd never abandon us, he intended to fulfill this through his earthly presence, the Body of Christ on earth, which is our faith community. But we want our Johns to be Jesuses. We want our companions on the road to be already perfectly holy. And so we look right past them and miss what God is offering to us through them.
Recall that Jesus often went to dinner parties. Fun fellowship is an important way to get to know others who are on the road to heaven. We won't find our co-journeyers by sitting alone in our prayer rooms. Time alone with God is necessary, but we'd better be using that time to become better at finding and mingling with the companions he's providing.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe