Homily For Wednesday Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 30th October 2024

Readings: Eph.6:1-9; Ps 145; Luke 13:22-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

LEARN TO PASS THROUGH THE NARROW DOORS OF LIFE

Life is nothing but a temporal assignment, a journey which begins in the morning so beautiful, full of expectations and hope, but the sojourner does not know his/her destination, purpose and end. The only guide is his/ her willingness to constantly follow the directives of the Sender, who communicates his plans and purposes to those who care and are willing to listen.

Thus, the emptiness and shortness of life make me reflect on my future as a human person and the question that comes to my mind is: "Where will you and I, and the beautiful things of this world be in the next one, ten, twenty, forty, eighty and hundred years for those who are strong? The deep silence in my soul could not offer me any answer to this question. Rather, it exposed before me the teachings of Jesus in our Gospel passage today when he said: try your best to enter by the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed. For once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying, “Lord, open to us” but he will answer, “I do not know where you come from.

Here, Jesus calls our attention to the reality of life which we must not take for granted. There is a need for us to follow the teachings of the Lord, for humanity has failed to embrace the life of truth, holiness and love for God and one another. Though this seems difficult and narrow to follow, we prefer to follow the destructive ways of life that are born out of pride, greed and uncontrollable desire for worldly things. There is no doubt that the things of this passing world are so captivating, and many people have been captured by its seductive power and are greatly following it. We must not be victims of this ugly situation. Rather, we must learn to submit ourselves to the directives of the Holy Spirit for he is always ready to guide us along the narrow ways of life.

Little wonder St. Paul, in our first reading today, says that you can be sure that everyone, whether a slave or a free man, will be properly rewarded by the Lord for whatever work he has done well. And those of you who are employers, treat your slaves in the same spirit; do without threats, remembering that you and them have the same Master in heaven.

Dear friends, learn to pass through the narrow doors of life. The worst thing that can happen to us at the last moment of our life is to hear the Lord say: I do not know where you come from. The fact remains that life is indeed very short, and the road that leads to death and destruction is truly wide and very captivating, of which many are captives of its seductive power. But the road to life is becoming more and more narrow because humanity is working so hard to expand the seductive roads and gates of destruction against the narrow gate of life.

Therefore, we are called to embrace the narrow gate and road that leads to eternal life. We must work harder by resisting all the temptations and sinful things of this passing world and embracing the life of love and sacrifice which Jesus has offered us. So, let us turn towards God with all our hearts by removing from our hearts all forms of pride, greed and unhealthy desires that lead us astray down the path of destruction.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, our journey of life depends on you, and today, you have called us to follow the narrow gate of love and sacrifice. But the seductive road of this passing world is really captivating, and many are victims of its power; Grant us the grace to resist it, but we journey through the path and gate that leads to eternal life; we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. May God bless your little efforts in life and guide you always.