Michele Catanese — Spiritual Direction
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Testimonials
  • What is Spiritual Direction?
  • Events
    • The Beauty of Holiness
    • New Testament Seminar
    • Old Testament Seminar
    • Spirituality Seminar Content
    • Prayer Styles Seminar
    • Holiness and the Saints
    • Other programs
  • Michele's Blog
  • Links
  • Michele's Book Corner
    • Books about Prayer
    • Books on Saints
    • Books on Iconography
    • Literature

The Narrow Road

1/27/2020

 
Picture
My father used to say that there are three ways of doing something, “your way, my way, and the right way.” I may not have appreciated this when I was young, but in adulthood I have come to see the wisdom in his words. However, now I would clarify “the right way” as that which is rooted in the Way taught by Jesus. The gospel implies that this right way involves compromise, a middle way, a way of peaceful resolution. But it also suggests that this path is more difficult to choose because it means we have to let go of what we cling to; that is, we have to choose to surrender to something beyond ourselves and our way of thinking. Jesus provided an unambiguous distinction between the path we could choose and the one we should choose: “… for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”(Matthew 7:13-14) Jesus was clearly saying that the way of the Gospel is not easy and that we have to really work at living it. He wanted us to realize that there are many dangers and pitfalls which will arise and that we will be tempted away from this path many times. But He also provided hope that if we are grounded in the gospel message and in a life of prayer, we will indeed be prepared to find the narrow road, to choose it, and to stick to it. And when we stray - (and we will) - the grace of God will aid us in finding our way back. 

Picture
​We should not be dismayed when Jesus says that few find the narrow road. If we put the world into perspective and view it through the lens of salvation history, we will see that fully committed believers, the faithful remnant of the Old Testament and the saints of the New Testament and beyond, have always been in the minority. The world, in spiritual terms, has always been a corruptible (and therefore corrupt) place, wanting to tempt us into everything from hedonism to relativism, from spiritual malaise to atheism, and from insensitivity toward the lives of others to complete self-centeredness. This is not to say there is no good in the world; indeed beauty and goodness are at the core of everything God has made, including every human person. But the kingdom of God is pure and indestructible, based on truth, mercy, love, and the selfless action of bringing these to others.

Picture
  • St. Paul elaborated on the distinction between the two ways throughout his letters. He argued that we need to be prepared for spiritual warfare to prevent being tempted to enter the wider road. He wrote that we need to “… stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God that you may be able to resist....” (Ephesians 6:11-17) These words were a beacon of hope because when he lived, to remain a Christian, and thus to live the way of goodness, justice, mercy, and love, was to risk one’s life. Not to, was (and is) to risk one’s soul. 

​The biggest threat today is that of riding the wave of popular culture, buying into the values of society rather than those which are rooted in the gospel of Jesus. When we embrace materialism, the culture of self, hedonism, neglect of the poor and marginalized, lack of civility, and moral relativism, we are treading the wider road and we are in danger. When we turn a blind eye to something which we know to be wrong or unjust, we are treading the wider road. And even more insidious, and which can incapacitate us, are the temptations of worry, fear, discouragement, spiritual laziness (neglecting our relationship with God), and falling prey to deceit. 

Picture
To put on the armor of God, we need to continually grow in our life of prayer no matter how good we think we are in this area. (Remember, prayer is about relationship: falling more deeply in love with God.) A suggestion is to commit to reading the Scriptures and to praying with them, particularly the Gospels.* Perhaps while doing so we can focus on growing in one virtue or one work of mercy at a time. We should also pray for discernment, that is, the guidance of the Holy Spirit to assist with every decision we make. These are perilous times. But let’s be clear: it has always been so. Nevertheless, we can hold on to hope while arming ourselves with spiritual help; although the kingdom of this world is powerfully alluring and the enemy desperately wants to weaken our resolve to grow in holiness, we can choose the way of Jesus, trusting in His goodness, His power, His justice, His mercy, and His love. Remember, Jesus told us to go out and make disciples of nations. He would not have commanded this if it was not possible. Let us put on the armor of God, with mercy and love as our guide, bringing the Good News to all those with whom we interact. This is the right way, the gospel way, the Way of Jesus.

Picture
May we never lose hope in choosing the narrow road, the way taught by Jesus! May we bravely take up the ‘right way’ of the Gospel which is expressed in justice, mercy, love, and peace! May we always ask the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us on the journey! And may we continue to grow in our relationship with the Lord, accepting His love and offering a response of love in return! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

                   ©Michele L. Catanese

* Pope Francis issued a papal decree that the third Sunday in Ordinary Time, this year on January 26, is to be the day of celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God. Therefore reading, praying with, and sharing the Word of God in all we say and do should be our priority. For more, go to https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-01/sunday-word-of-god-fisichella-press-conference.html

Images: All of the photos are my own.

1. Photo: Walking path to the glacial lake near Mt. Cook, Mt. Cook National Park, New Zealand.

​2. Photo: Sign on the trail in park near Lake George, NY.

3.Icon: St. Paul the Apostle by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in a copy it can be found at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/st-paul-the-apostle-196-william-hart-mcnichols.html

​
4. Photo: This was painted on a wall in one of the squares in Munich, Germany. It is presumably St. George slaying the dragon, a representation of God prevailing over evil.

5. Photo: Walking path near Tomintoul, in the Highlands of Scotland.

NOTE: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

David
1/27/2020 12:56:13 pm

Dear Michele,

For obvious reasons, I have always been afraid of the Gospel passage where Jesus says that few people walk the narrow path to life. Yet, somehow you took the subject and brought tears of relief to my eyes (a common event when meditating on your sharing); as yet, I am uncertain as to the reason, but needed to tell you.

One thing that has very frequently touched my life has been the truly amazing merciful love of God; it is this reality which, not only gives me hope, but also brings me to the belief that it is actually acceptable to pray for the soul of such folk as Adolph Hitler...and I write this on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Elise M. Campana
1/27/2020 09:38:21 pm

I was moved especially by the first paragraph. Thank you for your
sharing.


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    Heart Speaks to Heart
    (Cor ad Cor Loquitor)
    From the fullness of
    the heart the mouth speaks.
    (Luke 6:45)

    RSS Feed

    You can use the RSS Feed button to add the blog to your favorite reader software. Click on the button above to subscribe.
    Picture

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012

    Picture
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Testimonials
  • What is Spiritual Direction?
  • Events
    • The Beauty of Holiness
    • New Testament Seminar
    • Old Testament Seminar
    • Spirituality Seminar Content
    • Prayer Styles Seminar
    • Holiness and the Saints
    • Other programs
  • Michele's Blog
  • Links
  • Michele's Book Corner
    • Books about Prayer
    • Books on Saints
    • Books on Iconography
    • Literature