Walking weakly on a hard road

Our Lord has challenging words for us in today’s Gospel (Luke 13:22-30):

Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.

These words can be especially discouraging for us, especially at those times when we do not feel strong enough, spiritually or otherwise.

But our Lord is not calling us to despair, but to deeper faith.

Indeed, the strength to enter through the gate of the Kingdom of Heaven is beyond the strength of men.

What we need is God’s grace.

St. Paul’s words in today’s first reading (Romans 8:26-30) remind us of the greatness of God’s grace, even in spite of our weakness and all our struggles.

The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes
with inexpressible groanings.
And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the Spirit,
because he intercedes for the holy ones
according to God’s will.

We know that all things work for good
for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.

May we strive to continue on the hard road and to enter through the narrow gate by opening ourselves more and more to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

No matter what our weaknesses or how hard the road, with the strength of his grace, we will succeed.