Through the Narrow Door

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

24 August 2025

 

First Reading: Isaiah 66:18-21

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 117:1, 2

Second Reading: Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13

Gospel: Luke 13:22-30

 

Reflection By:

Bro. Carlo Alexis Malaluan

Diocese of Imus

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit a Cistercian monastery in Portugal. We had a guided tour in where every single detail was explained to us by the guide. He told us how the monks used to live with great simplicity: simple dormitories, unadorned work room, and rhythms ordered around prayer, work, and silence. But what stayed with me the most was a small but curious detail — the door leading to the refectory, the monks’ dining room. It was too narrow — intentionally narrow. So narrow, in fact, that you’d have to remain physically fit just to pass through comfortably.

The guide remarked, “It helps them remember not to overeat.” We laughed, but the statement went deeper than health. It was about discipline. About restraint. About forming not just the body, but the soul.

And that image came rushing back to me when we read today’s Gospel: “Strive to enter through the narrow door.” Jesus speaks not of a wide, open gateway, but of one that must be intentionally entered. It doesn’t allow just anything to pass through—not baggage, not excess, not complacency. And then He warns: “Many will try to enter and will not be strong enough.”

It’s haunting, not because it excludes, but because it reveals something essential about discipleship: that entering the Kingdom requires a kind of spiritual fitness,not perfection. Not self-righteousness but readiness. It is a form of detachment which is a freedom from the excess that keeps us bloated with pride, entitlement, or spiritual laziness.

The narrow door doesn’t represent a God who’s trying to keep people out. It represents a God who wants to strip away what doesn’t give life. To enter, we must travel light.

Jesus even imagines a scenario where people knock on the door, claiming familiarity: “We ate and drank with you… you taught in our streets.” But He responds, “I do not know you.” It’s not that He never met them — it’s that they never truly followed Him. They stayed close, but they never entered. They knew of Him, but they didn’t allow their lives to be shaped by Him.

It’s easy to fall into that pattern. To hear the Gospel often but never let it press into our habits. To surround ourselves with religious things while remaining spiritually unfit to enter the narrow way of love, mercy, sacrifice, and obedience. The door is narrow, says the Gospel, not because God is exclusive, but because discipleship is real. It requires something from us. It calls us to become someone new.

And yet, the Gospel ends with hope: “People will come from the east and west, from the north and south, and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.” The door is narrow but it is open. The feast is waiting. God’s desire is to fill His house. But He invites us to arrive ready, not bloated by excess, but lean in love. Not dragging what we cling to, but free to walk through with open hands.

So today, we might ask: What makes it hard for me to fit through the narrow door? What habits, attachments, or comforts weigh me down? And more deeply: Am I allowing Christ to shape me into someone who can pass through—not just at the end of life, but each day, in the choices I make?

Because the narrow door is not just the gate at the end. It’s the quiet choice in the middle of the day. It’s the discipline of a monk entering a refectory through a door that reminds him: less is more, and love is lean.

Prayer

Our Daily Cross

    

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

02 July 2023

 

First Reading: 2 Kgs 4:8-11, 14-16a

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19

Second Reading: Rom 6:3-4, 8-11

Gospel: Mt 10:37-42

 

Reflection

By: Theresa B. Manio

 

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

All is grace. No matter how seemingly unclear, incomprehensible, and unacceptable our circumstances are, there is always grace in that experience. We find it difficult to see the goodness in our struggle so we can continue to move forward. Knowing that our suffering is a part of greater purpose gives us strength to endure and continue. At the end of each day, in the silence of ourselves, resting our tired bodies in bed, let's think of all the goodness we have received during the day. That genuine smile of a kid you passed by, the meal that you ate, the warm bed that soothes your body.

This Sunday readings call us to notice the goodness of the Lord and share this to others even if it pains us. That is we are to share in Jesus' sufferings so that we can also share in His glory. When we chose to journey with Jesus, sacrifices and sufferings are part of it too. Humans that we are, we complain, we surrender, we are bound to quit, but when we choose to carry out the mission, then we are given the power to transcend, so that God's love can flow through us. We are called to enter into the depth of life where we encounter His love and mercy in the ordinary flow of life. The way of this life is through sacrifice, self-denial, and carrying our daily cross. In doing this, we will receive our just reward of true peace, real happiness, and eternal life.

Recently, I got a promotion at work. I was so excited about the glory of it, especially in the power that comes with it, that I can now start things, make changes, and create a vision for the department. Days turned to weeks, now it's already two months of struggling to meet the minimum demands of my work, my excitemenf turns to desolation. At this point, I can freely give up the position and go back to my normal happy days if that will be part of my choices. But reading the Gospel in advance, allowing it to get through me, listening to myself and to God in prayer, I was given hope and consolation. I am choosing to focus on the good, on the greater purpose of what I am doing, on the things that became easier because of my sacrifices, and of the promise that I am not alone. Jesus is with me. Jesus is in me. That, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. May you continue to hold on to your cross and find the grace that comes with carrying it.

Prayer

Thank You Lord for all the graces and opportunities I have to serve others. May You continue to provide me with encounters to serve others in whatever ways I can. Give me the courage to always choose what is pleasing no matter the inconveniences that may come with it. Lead me to people who may be needing more of Your presence and guidance. Amen.

I am the Good Shepherd.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Good Shepherd Sunday

25 April 2021 

 

First Reading:  ACTS 4:8-12

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29

Second Reading:  1 JN 3:1-2

Gospel:  JN 10:11-18

 

Reflection

By: Fely C. Santiago

 

"A good shepherd lays down his life  for the sheep."

 

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He knows each and every one of us. And He already laid down His life for us, His sheep. That's how much God loves us. He sent us His Son to save us from our sins. Sheep are mentioned more than 200 times in the Bible, more than any other animal. Sheep are important sources of wool, milk, and meat, and throughout the Bible, sheep served as symbol of God's people. Jesus is portrayed as the shepherd of His chosen flock in the prophetic words of Isaiah and Ezekiel, and most famously in the 23rd Psalm, all in which belongs to the Good Shepherd.

 

Sheep are followers. And as the sheep of our Good Shepherd, Jesus, we ought to follow Him closely so we don't get lost. Following isn't something sheep have to think—about it's an instinct. Sheep remember faces. They recognized faces of other sheep and even of humans who work with them regularly. They are almost human, because sheep remember who treats them well—and even more, they remember who handles them harshly. Sheep find safety in numbers, and when grazing, sheep will keep at least 4-5 other sheep in view. They are very social and extroverted animals, for they do not do well alone, and they value supporting each other by sticking together at all costs. A lost sheep is critical because they do not do well alone. And Jesus cares that we do not get lost from His gaze because without Jesus our life will surely be a mess and empty.

Jesus is the true shepherd. He is the Good Shepherd who was willing to die for those who put their faith in Him. Any other person  who claims to be the true shepherd is a robber or a thief, for they are a false shepherd. Imagine a world where people do not expect to be served but are all eager to serve and care for one another! Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares, watches, and protects those who believe in Him. This is a wonderful message for anyone who seeks peace with God.

To be in a Lord's flock is to be in a life-changing, transformative relationship with the Lord. To know the Lord our Good Shepherd is to see our life changed by that very relationship. It is to know the voice of Jesus and be able to distinguish it from others, so that in all things God may be glorified.

Let me close with these beautiful verses from Psalm 23:

The LORD is my shepherd;

I have everything I need

He lets me rest in fields of green grass

and leads me to quiet pools of water

He gives me new strength

He guides me in the right paths as He has promised

Even if I go through the deepest darkness

I will not be afraid Lord for You are with me

Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me

You prepare a banquet for me where all my enemies can see me

You welcome me as an honored guest and fill my cup to the brim

I know that Your goodness and love will be with me all my life

And your house will be my home as long as I live.

Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Good Shepherd who will always be there to guide and protect us. Even if we face the greatest trials and pain and suffering, we know You will always be there to carry us and go through our dark valley. Give us the grace Lord to remain steadfast and increase our faith, hope, and trust in You. Help us to continue to love and serve You in others especially during this pandemic. All this I pray, in Your Mighty Name. Amen.

 

 

 

Labor Of Love

St Joseph the Worker
1 May 2010


The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.


First reading Acts 13:44-52 3
The next sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of God. When they saw the crowds, the Jews, prompted by jealousy, used blasphemies and contradicted everything Paul said. Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly. ‘We had to proclaim the word of God to you first, but since you have rejected it, since you do not think yourselves worthy of eternal life, we must turn to the pagans. For this is what the Lord commanded us to do when he said:
I have made you a light for the nations,
so that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth.’
It made the pagans very happy to hear this and they thanked the Lord for his message; all who were destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread through the whole countryside.
But the Jews worked upon some of the devout women of the upper classes and the leading men of the city and persuaded them to turn against Paul and Barnabas and expel them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in defiance and went off to Iconium; but the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 97:1-4

Gospel John 14:7-14
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If you know me, you know my Father too.
From this moment you know him and have seen him.’
Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.’
‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him, ‘and you still do not know me?
‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father,
so how can you say, “Let us see the Father”?
Do you not believe
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself:
it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work.
You must believe me when I say
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me;
believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason.
I tell you most solemnly,
whoever believes in me
will perform the same works as I do myself,
he will perform even greater works,
because I am going to the Father.
Whatever you ask for in my name I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask for anything in my name,
I will do it.’

Reflection
By Elizabeth R. Eguia

Today is St. Joseph the Worker's feast day and we also celebrate Labor Day all over the world. In most countries like the Philippines it is a public holiday. Labor unions commemorate this day by marching to Mendiola to protest anti-labour practices. But as an ordinary person, what is the meaning of this day for us? Usually, we are just happy because it is a non-working holiday and it’s another day to relax and enjoy. But kidding aside, have we really reflected on the real meaning of this day?

Colossians 3:17, 23-24 says “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ.” This made me reflect on the right attitude we should have towards work whether it is our office job or the normal day to day house work that we do.

Work with love in our hearts serving Christ and devoting whatever we do for God’s glory. It is not easy most of the times to think like this especially when we are caught up in this world, in our work, in what our boss will have to say. But I realized the importance of praying early morning or before going to work and asking God for guidance. To offer the day’s tasks to Him and declaring that whatever we do for the day is for His greater glory and not ours, nor for our company’s nor, for our boss’. And you know, He definitely guides me and my attitude for the day changes, instead of getting irritated I am still smiling.

Day to day I tell myself, I only have one boss and that is God and whatever I do I will make it well because it is my offering to Him, to thank Him also for trusting, guiding me, being proud of what I do in spite of my weaknesses. He raises me up always and that is why I love what I do and I offer all to Him whether I am just cleaning the house or talking to an irritated client.

St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus on earth, is a great role model of working for God. He has served God, Jesus and Mary with love and humility. He obeyed God without question and has been faithful to his job as a carpenter. He helped build God's kingdom by obeying God's will.

Dear God, thank You for the wonderful message You have imparted to us. May You continue to guide and remind us to work with Love and to do our best in what we do, offering it for Your greater glory, through the intercession of Saint Joseph the Worker, the patron of all workers. Amen.

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