Saturday, September 3, 2016

Grow in strength to walk through the narrow gate: 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time

Listen to the homily here.

Notes:

Someone asked Jesus a question:
·      “Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
o   Have you ever had that question?
·      Jesus, as always, gives his perfect answer…not a number or percentage 
·      “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.
“many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.”
·      Consider children in your family
·      Are your children “strong enough” to enter into the narrow gate (life?)
o   Think of the brand new baby
o   Are they strong enough to eat?
o   Are they strong enough to go to bed?
o   Are they strong enough to have a communication?
·      Well, no…they have parents
We, as children of God must be strong through the narrow door
·      A couple of weeks ago I spent time with my best friends
·      Wonderful family…three kids
·      The Dad said that he teaches his son (5) verses his daughter (3).
God does the same for us
·      In our culture, we Catholic members must grow to be strong in three big issues:
o   Morality (marriage, sexuality, life conception to death),
o   individualism (my stuff, not your stuff),
o   relativism (I believe what I believe, you believe what you believe)
God teaches us through:
·      Father, Son and Holy Spirit
·      Son who is written in the Bible (with beautiful and challenging parables or accounts)
·      Catholic Church that Jesus built
·      Pope
·      Bishops
·      Priests
·      Deacons
·      Disciples
He teaches us, even if we are challenged…here listen to Hebrews:
·      “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every he acknowledge.”
·      “So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.  Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.”

Listen to God…learn from God…follow God…you will be stronger into the narrow gate!

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