Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to perdition is wide and spacious, and many take it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Mt.7:13,14
Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount with a warning that the road to hell is deceptively easy and attractive while the road to eternal life can be difficult and requires effort.
This is counter to popular belief, even within the Church, that you have to work to go to hell and that most people will simply drift into heaven without effort.
I'm finding that, yes, following Jesus involves sacrifice, selflessness, discipline, lifting up others, self denial... in short, it requires effort. But, I'm also finding it a joyful way to live here and now. The benefits aren't just eternal but also temporal.
Lord, help me choose the narrow gate today, the difficult way that leads to you.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.
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