A Reflection on Luke 13:22- 30 : The Narrow Doors (29-10-25)

A thoughtful reflection on Luke 13:22- 30, reminding us to mould ourselves to enter through the narrow roads (29-10-25)

Prise be to Jesus Christ

Once, a passenger came to a monastery constructed on a hilltop. Its entrance door was shockingly small — so narrow that one could only pass by bowing low and leaving behind every heavy bag with. The traveller, who was burdened with possessions, tried again and again to slide through but failed. He sat down and cried in despair, “Why would someone build such a narrow door for the monastery?” An old monk passing by smiled and said, “It was built this way so that one must enter with humility and with empty hands.” Slowly, the traveller began to lay down his load — his pride, his possessions, his self-importance — and finally passed through, so freely and peacefully.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ words are unsettling yet filled with love: “Many will try to enter, but few will be able.” The word “few” is not a mark of exclusion, but of depth and authenticity. It calls us to a faith that is not shallow or convenient, but persevering and true. It emphasises a selection that happens between many and the eligible.

Jesus is not counting heads; He is inviting hearts. The “few” are not the privileged — they are the faithful. They are those who strive to walk the narrow way of love, humility, and surrender, even when it costs them. Matthew 7:13-14 states, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” The “few” are those who choose love over comfort, forgiveness over resentment, and truth over convenience. St. John St. Chrysostom explains it beautifully: “The way is narrow not because God made it so, but because of the difficulty we have in denying ourselves.”

Throughout Scripture, God often chooses to work through a faithful few. Genesis 7 narrates the story of how Noah and his family entered the ark and began anew. In Judges, chapter 7, we see that Only Gideon’s 300 men conquered through faith, not force. Only the twelve apostles, ordinary yet surrendered, carried the light of Christ to the ends of the earth. The pattern is clear — God values not the quantity, but the quality of the heart.  As St. Teresa of Ávila reminds us: “God does not look so much at the greatness of our works as at the love with which they are done.” Thus, being among the “few” is not about being exceptional in status, but in love than others.

Every day life offers countless “narrow doors.” In families, the narrow door may appear as a call to forgive after a hurtful word, to stay calm amid stress, to pray when tired, or to love when it feels one-sided. The few who choose patience, gratitude, and gentleness make their homes reflections of God’s Kingdom.

In consecrated life, the narrow door may be obedience that costs, service that goes unnoticed, or community life that stretches the heart. The few who walk through it discover joy in hidden fidelity and peace in surrender. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the little flower, once said: “To be little is to recognise our nothingness, to expect everything from the good God, just as a child expects everything from its father.”

The “few” are not those who are perfect, but those who depend entirely on God — the poor in spirit who keep loving quietly, steadfastly, and faithfully. Even though Jesus says “few will enter,” His mercy is vast and His door remains open until the end. The word “few” is not meant to frighten, but to awaken us. It’s not a limit — it’s an invitation. God desires all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), but few honestly respond deeply to this desire. St. Augustine wrote: “God created us without us, but He will not save us without us.”

The traveller in our opening story discovered that the narrow door was not a barrier, but a blessing. Once he shed his heavy burdens, he could enter freely and joyfully. So too in our spiritual lives — when we let go of pride, resentment, and attachment, we discover that the narrow door is wide enough for a heart that loves. Pope Francis once said,  “Holiness is not for the few, but it is only the few who choose it with perseverance.”

May we be counted among those few — in our families, in our communities, in our daily choices — who walk the path of love with steadfast hearts.

Prayer: Prune me to be humble enough to enter through the narrow roads.