lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the Law and the Prophets.
“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.”
The Gospel today presents us with a kind of classic Wisdom literature motif- two kinds, two ways. Pearls before swine; do unto others, as you do would have them do unto you; the narrow way versus the broad way. The wise person chooses rightly between the two. And it seems clear Jesus is inviting us to choose the narrow way. Harder or easier is not the issue. His invitation goes deeper. It is an invitation to relationship with him. At issue is choosing to follow him, fascinated by him and his dream for the kingdom. We are to become so identified with him and his dream for our world that we are willing to lose ourselves as he did in self-forgetful love- the love that is our prayer, the love that is our service of one another.
Photograph of the Abbey grounds by Brother Brian.
