Jesus Leads The Way

There are many "narrow gates" along the path of spiriual growth and they imply "squiggling": adaptation, re-evalutation, analysis, determination and some pain to get through them. Sometimes it's hearing hard things from colleagues or spiritual directors that give us pause to pull out the mirror and take good, hard look at ourselves and our behaviors. Sometimes its a form of depression that helps us touch our emptiness, admit our pride and humbly ask for and accept help from others. Facing the demons of selfishness, of self-centeredness and becoming more sensitive for others demands courage and perseverance. And then there are the trunks and boxes of material goods and our attachments to them that hold us back from passing through these gates. A tough road, but not impossible. Jesus leads the way! He is the prime example of "emptying himself" and giving totally of his will and life to the will of his Father, and relinquishing all that stood in the way of complete union with him, even to the shedding of his last drop of blood on the cross. He didn't get to that last gate without passing through the many others along the way: the endless hours of teaching, healing, the false accusations, the misunderstandings, the compassion for sinners, the frustration with the slowness of his disciples to "get it". Yes, he was no stranger to these gates that our part of our human condition and the instruments of our spiritual growth and purification. His compassion is the oil that makes squeezing through them easier. Let us not refuse his help; let him led the way.
Bro. Rene