GOSPEL, Matthew (7: 6, 12-14)
Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew
Profaning the Holy
6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.
The Golden Rule
12 “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
The Narrow Gate
13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
The Gospel of the Lord
REFLECTION
St. Matthew invites us to reflect, on how we should live with the cunning of the serpent and the simplicity of the dove, in relation to idolaters and unbelievers, (“dogs and pigs”) speaking to them with silent witness in humility, choosing the best way to live happily here, now and in eternity.
The golden rule for the Christian is to look for the good in your neighbour as you would yourself: “Treat others as you would have them treat you; in this consists the law and the prophets.
“Enter through the strait gate” means to fulfill the Father’s will through putting in practice Jesus’ word. This path however gives way to life in the kingdom of God. Jesus himself is that door to life: “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” (John 10:9)
These norms presented by Christ, and adapted to one’s state, situation and charism, lead to holiness in the work at home, in the office, in the hospital, in teaching, in the workshop, in the field…
To be holy is to love, serve and glorify God in all circumstances of life. Loving others as we love ourselves fall under the same criteria.
This sums up the entire law of Christ, that he is the way and the door to the life of the Kingdom. In the letter to the Philippians, St. Paul shows the way, for people who have decided to follow this path.
“ 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 3:13-14)
PRAYER
Grant us, Father, to answer your call: Send us your Spirit to help us in our weakness. Amen.