Luke 13:22-35New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

The Narrow Door

²² Jesus^[a] went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. ²³ Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He said to them, ²⁴ “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. ²⁵ When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then in reply he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ ²⁶ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ ²⁷ But he will say, ‘I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!’ ²⁸ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. ²⁹ Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. ³⁰ Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

The Lament over Jerusalem

³¹ At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” ³² He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me,^[b] ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. ³³ Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ ³⁴ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! ³⁵ See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when^[c] you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Meditation Prayer & Questions:

Prayer:  Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary… and watch over us as we walk our journey of faith.

• What does God desire for all people? How do you will fulfill His desire?
• What does it mean by the “narrow gate”? what do we need to have to enter it?
• How do you respond to the grace that God gives you every day?
• What does it mean to “know” Jesus? How well do you know Him?  What do you do to know Him better?
• Why did Jesus refuse to open the door for those who were outside (read verse 25)?
• What is the purpose that Jesus came to accomplish?

O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy for us I Trust in You