DIVINE WHISPER with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR

Celebration: Ferial

Table of the Word

First Reading: Romans 8:26–30

Gospel: Luke 13:22–30

Theme: The Narrow Door and the Wider Heart.

Reflection

The Gospel of today presents one of Jesus’ most touching teachings  the narrow door. As He journeys toward Jerusalem, someone asks Him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” (Luke 13:23).

Jesus does not answer with numbers or speculation. Instead, He turns the question inward: “Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.” (v. 24)

Here, Christ calls each disciple to personal conversion and perseverance. Salvation is not a matter of belonging to a privileged group but of responding daily to grace with fidelity.

The narrow door is not narrow because God is stingy, but because love demands discipline and faith requires surrender. It is the way of humility, forgiveness, purity, truth, and self-giving, all dimensions that challenge our pride and comfort.

In the First Reading taken from the Pauline's epistle to the Roman Church (Romans 8:26–30), here He (Paul) comforts us with one of the most beautiful assurances in Scripture: “We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.” (v. 26)

The paradox here lies in: the narrow way which is hard, yet we never walk it alone. The Spirit groans within us, guiding us toward conformity with the image of Christ. What we cannot accomplish by strength, grace perfects by love.

Thus, the narrow door opens not by force, but by surrender, when we let the Spirit form Christ in us.

In the light of this, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2013) teaches: “All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity.”

This perfection, the narrow door is the universal call to holiness. It is not reserved for the few but offered to all who walk faithfully in Christ.

The narrow door is thus the door of discipleship, detachment, and daily faithfulness, the same path Christ Himself walked.

However, St. Augustine comments beautifully on this passage: “The narrow door signifies the many tribulations through which one must enter into life. It is narrow in the beginning, but when we pass through, we find spacious joy.”

Beloved in Christ Jesus, let us therefore Choose depth over ease. Since true discipleship costs comfort, but brings joy. Let the Spirit pray in you. Allow your weakness to become the meeting point of divine strength.

Finally, let us live the daily “yes.” The narrow door is not a single event but a continuous journey of love, through patience, forgiveness, and mercy.

And our Lord Whispers: 

“Do not fear the narrow door; I walk it before you and hold it open with My Cross.”

+ Peace be with you.

© ARCHIVE 29102025