“Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough” (Lk 13:24).
This verse from our Gospel reading this Sunday (Luke 13:22-30) is a paradox. Jesus tells us that some will not be strong enough to enter the narrow door to heaven. It seems like we must become small—not strong—to fit through a small door. In fact, both are necessary. We must become small and humble to fit through the narrow door. If we’re puffed up and prideful, we won’t fit through! But we also must be strong, because becoming small and humble takes effort.
“For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11
So how can we become “spiritually small?” For me, it’s trying to see myself as a child of God. By starting with my identity as a beloved daughter of God, I’m able to allow God to do the work of helping me become poor in spirit, giving me access to His Kingdom: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
Jesus tells us that we must “become like little children” in order to fit through the narrow door to heaven (Matthew 18:3). He also tells us that the greatest of all are the smallest of all: “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest” (Luke 9:48).
“The gate to heaven is very low. Only the humble can enter it.” St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
So am I already perfectly humble and childlike? Far from it! But I have the desire to be spiritually small, and I am confident that God can work with that. We all have our sins and faults. When we can turn those over to the Lord, He can do great things for us, little by little, slowly turning our pride through His grace into childlike trust in Him.
Jesus, help me to be spiritually small, to be childlike in my faith, and to love and serve You in all I say and do.