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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“Try your best to enter by the narrow door,

because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.”

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– Luke 13:24 (NIV)

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REFLECTION…

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Everyone is called

to form part of the Kingdom of God,

for He “desires all people to be saved” (1 Tim 2:4).

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Certainly, only those who make a serious effort

can reach the goal of salvation

– and Our Lord emphasises this

by using the simile of the narrow door.

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My ego, my pride,

my selfishness,

my weaknesses, urges and cravings,

my justifications…

am I ruled by them?

Do I seriously want to pass through that narrow door?

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There is no way

that I will be able to pass through

that ultimate and all-important door

– not unless I recognise,

and struggle against,

and repent from,

and shed,

my self-indulgence.

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PRAYER…

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Heavenly Father, open my eyes for me to see

in how many ways I am not the person You want me to be.

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Almighty God,

help me in my struggle.

Help me defend myself

against self-defeating urges and passions.

Help me discard any self-inflating attitude,

and all self-centered excuses

which draw me away from You

and which can ultimately deprive me

from passing through that glorious door

which leads into Your Loving arms.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord, save me from myself.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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It remains for the holy people to struggle, with grace from on high,

to obtain the good things God promises.

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In order to possess and contemplate God,

Christ’s faithful mortify their cravings

and, with the grace of God, prevail over the seductions of pleasure and power.

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[CCC 2549]

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