2019 06 25 Reflection 580 (Bro. Joe Anthony OP on Mt. 7:6,12-14)
Like us on facebook at / dominicanministriesgoa write to us: [email protected] Website: www.dominicans.in Today’s Gospel reading deals with two basic issues of life. It contains two of the most well-known things Jesus ever said. First, how can a person live righteously, that is having a right relationship with one’s neighbor? Second, how can a person be sure that he has life? What governs the first question, “how can a person live righteously” is the golden rule. “Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.” This is the summit of ethics, behaviour, righteousness and godliness. The fact that all law and all love can be stated in one simple statement is amazing. It is a simple statement revealing what love really is and what life in a perfect world is like. In practice , the golden rule says several things that A) We should not treat men the way they treat us; Good for good or evil for evil. B) We should not treat men the way they think they should be treated. C) We should not treat men the way we think they should be treated. D) But, we should treat them the way we want them to treat us. One way to practice this golden rule is to ask the simple question. “How do I want to be treated?” then treat the other person that way. The second very important question Jesus addresses today is “How to be sure that I have life?” There are two gates. One wide and the other narrow. Everyman stands before the wide gate. It is immediately before him. It is the only gate that faces him. In fact, it is so close to him that no entrance is necessary. All he has to do is to take a step and he has entered it. The narrow gate is not seen. We have to search for it in order to be find it. The point is very striking. 1. The way to eternal life is very specific and very few will choose it. 4.There is no choice. There is only one way. 3. That way is Jesus Christ. If a person wants eternal life , he has to come to God through Jesus Christ. “I am the way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by me.” (John 14:6) And also, in Acts chapter 4, Verse 12 we read that “there is no salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) While the wide gate requires no decision, no commitment and no search to enter, the narrow gate requires a personal decision, a firm determination and a commitment, to take up one’s daily cross and follow Jesus. Let us keep these two things in mind that by treating others as we want them to treat us, we will live rightly and by choosing the narrow gate and being committed to it we will find and possess life.
