The narrow door of eternal life
august 24, 2025 | 21st Sunday in ordinary time, Year C
Isaiah 66:18-21; Ps 117; Heb 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22-30
The way to heaven entails a serious commitment to Christ’s teachings and way of life. Being a Christian, a theologian, a priest, a nun, a religious or just going to church frequently, receiving holy communion is not a credential for heaven. Jesus challenges us today by inviting us to be doers of the words and not just preachers of the word. Late Pope Francis reminds us of the challenge of the narrow gate. For him, Christ is pointing at a call to serve God and others. It is about living a life of love, service, and self-giving, as Jesus did. Every Christian must pass through it. For him, the narrow door is an invitation to overcome selfishness, pride, and laziness. The real challenge of today’s gospel is how do we apply the teaching of Christ in our daily lives. On the last day, we will be judged on practical love of God and of the the neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40) which has always been described by Jesus as the “narrow door” to eternal life, which entails: a choice for Christ, perseverance, complete trust in God’s mercy and grace.
The Narrow Door:
Far from being a physical place, the narrow gate is a universal call to all people from all nations to come to the Lord (Isaiah 66:18-21) who loves us all. Jesus invites us to commit ourselves to him as his disciples. This requires obedience to God’s will, effort and a focus on following Christ's teachings. The second reading from the letter to the Hebrews 12, invites us to accept discipline as “it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.” The narrow door is a choice for life.
Choosing Jesus as a choice for life:
Jesus is aware that we are often being swayed by worldly distractions and sin. He suggests the narrow door to eternal life as a conscious choice to follow Him and to live by his way of life daily. This involves, praying, loving, serving, actively seeking God's will, practicing righteousness, and striving for holiness as our ultimate vocation.
It is an urgent call
Dear brothers and sisters, there is an urgency for each of us to make a choice for Christ, Jesus our Lord and Savior. In the Gospel, Jesus warns us of the danger of not acting now. Jesus says: “Strive to enter the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” The refusal to take action now could lead to our exclusion from the kingdom. Let’s remember that the door to heaven is narrow and is still opened for us. We must strive to enter now before it is permanently closed.
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac
Jesus, I trust in you
Living the Gospel this week. Penitential Rite
Dear brothers and sisters, the penitential rite is an important part of the sacrifice of the Mass. Christ was sent to the world to save us from the power of sin. From the Old Testament, there are practices of individual and public confession for communal and serious offenses (Nehemiah 9:1-3; Psalm 51; 32:5). The new testament insists on repentance and confessions (James 5:16; 1 John 1:9). During the penitential rite, we are invited to call to mind our sins. Although the penitential rite lacks sacramental efficacy, we believe that all the venial sins are forgiven through the penitential rite.
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac