“Strive to enter through the narrow gate.”
The Greek verb which we today translate as strive is agonizomai and its where we get the word for agony. It’s the kind of effort it takes to squeeze through a narrow opening, to win a soccer match, or to pass a mid-term. It implies sacrifice and suffering.
Strive to enter through the narrow gate: the gate of forgiving the one who has really hurt you, doing the right thing when they laugh at you, and loving the ingrate even unto death.
That’s one way to live life. But then there’s the other way. The way of no struggle, no pain, no cross. Of narcissism, self-interest and just lookin' out for number one. And some days, as Satan whispers into our hearts, that way looks pretty good.
Problem is, that that way is on other side of the door, through which we hear the master’s voice: I do not know you.
You do not give, you only take.
I do not know you.
You do not sacrifice.
I do not know you.
You do not suffer in love.
I do not know you.
Depart from me. And all that is left is the sound of wailing and the grinding of teeth.
