"Beads of Joy" by RosaryManJim: The Gate Is Narrow

BEADS OF JOY 06-26-18

“The Gate Is Narrow”

My Friends,

This photo was taken in 1986 at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Washington, NJ.
This is a place where Chrissy and I, and our family (our kids), visited often.

Today’s Gospel: Matthew 7:6,12-14 (Narrow Gate)

“Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you. So, whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Reflection:
I have to say, I did a Google search for an image for “The Narrow Gate” and in the midst of those pictures there was The Crown of Thorns; and I thought to myself, “How out of place was that in this search?” Then the Holy Spirit tugged at me and I heard, “No it’s NOT! Look deep into its meaning, what does it represent?” Ah YES... It represents, persecution! “The Narrow Gate!” Jesus said in today’s gospel, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” Of cause, how many will be able to handle the persecutions of this life, to enter into the glory of the next life, with our Lord. Those thorns represent true courage of the real Christian, the real follows of Jesus who can and will take the narrow door.

There is persecution ahead for those who believe; who will be strong enough to withstand what lies ahead? Do you trust in God’s grace and love and help in the most difficult times? Sometimes we are tested, sometimes our feet are put to the fire and the flames are real; as Christians we must be true to ourselves and true to God. Paul the Apostle often reminds us about the love that is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We must remember that we do not struggle alone. God does not disappoint us; His grace is sufficient.

On a personal note, the narrow gate (aka: our crown of thorns) has been our family’s expression of existence these past couple of years. Have we been tested? YES! Have our feet been put to a very real flame of fire? YES! Lung Cancer! 2 Strokes! No Income for over a year! Poverty! Hunger! Almost Homeless! Chrissy’s death! Yeah, I’d say we have been pushed close to the edge of the cliff. We never, ever lost our faith, we struggled indeed, but we hung in there, through many tears. It wasn’t easy by no means, but by God’s grace and mercy we made it through; through those most difficult times. The smoke isn’t cleared yet, but we are in a better place in some ways. Some serious struggles still exist. God knows our situation, but we fully and completely trust in Him.

Matthew 7:6,12-14 - The Narrow Gate

Pondering these thoughts today: No matter what the struggles are, or how narrow the gate is, hold strong loving and trusting our Lord. Sometimes mere words can’t express the depths of trust one must have, when times get really really tough. Chrissy always use to say, “God has a plan Jim, we have to just trust Him, even if we don’t understand it; complaining, only means we don’t trust Him.” She was right. I have to remember those words of my precious sweetie, when I feel doubt or worry, and I want to complain. She had this calmness, throughout all of her suffering. A calm that made no earthly sense, but God was with her and He comforted her; and so many times through her suffering, she comforted our sorrow. Chrissy was a strong woman of faith, and one of the most unselfish, loving, giving souls, I have ever known, throughout my life.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Tuesday: We pray the Sorrowful Mysteries:

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1^.Agony on the Garden (Sorrow for sin) –Matt 26:36-46
2^.Scourging at the Pillar (Purity) –Mark 15:1-16
3^.Crowning with Thorns (Moral Courage) –Matt 27:27-31
4^.Carrying of the Cross (Patience) –Mark 15:20-22
5^.The Crucifixion (Perseverance) –Luke 23:33-46

Thank you Lord for loving us so much…