Why is the door into eternal life so narrow?

(Lk 13:22-30)

Why is the door into eternal life so narrow? Surely God’s heart is the greatest opening in reality. God is love and what is more inviting and welcoming than love? So why does Jesus say it is narrow.

I think it is narrow since it means that it is a personal opening. God’s offer of love and relationship is a very personal reality. God doesn’t see us in the crowd but he sees each of us personally and he is offering each one of us his love. He doesn’t see us as disconnected individuals, we are all in Christ (thus in the Church) and it is precisely in Christ that we never lose our personalities but rather God’s grace always allows that which is truly us to flourish.

In the heart of the Church Jesus is calling you to a real relationship, one that is open and honest, one that is transforming and life-giving. But each one of us must be open to this offer of friendship. We can’t hide behind others. On the last day you will not be able to blame anyone else but yourself for not accepting the offer the Lord is making to you now, even as you read this.

There is a place in God’s heart for you and no one else can take it, it is completely fitted to your size. Not one else fits. If you don’t go there, then no one else will ever take it. For God will always love you.

The offer of salvation is for you to take the offer of an open and true friendship with God seriously. The second reading in today’s Mass reminds us that this will involve the Lord correcting our faults by doing this He is molding us into the place he has in his heart.

Fr. John Harris OP