< <  

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

  > >

St. Cyril of Alexandria


Genesis 13:2, 5-18
Psalm 15:2-5
Matthew 7:6, 12-14

View Readings
Similar Reflections

the gate, way, truth, and life

"Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to damnation is wide, the road is clear, and many choose to travel it." —Matthew 7:13

There are two gates in life: the narrow gate and the wide gate. Many choose to enter through the wide gate because it is easy to do so. You would think we would choose a gate based on what's behind it rather than on how easy it is to get through it. For example, does a person go on a road just because the road is wide, or because it leads to his destination? If we choose the wide gate, we are ignorant both of where the road behind this gate leads and where the road behind the narrow gate leads.

Jesus is the Gate (Jn 10:7, 9). He is "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6). Jesus is the Truth about Life. He alone can reveal to us where the roads behind the gates of life go (see Rv 5:5). Whoever enters through Jesus will be safe and saved (Jn 10:9). Those who try to make their own way of life will destroy themselves (see Mt 7:13). It takes the Gate to know the gates.

Therefore, thankfully and totally give your life to Jesus, the Gate, Who is our only Savior (Acts 4:12) and our only Hope.

Prayer:  Father, may I have enough faith and love to tell people about Jesus, the Truth.

Promise:  "Set forth and walk about in the land, through its length and breadth, for to you I will give it." —Gn 13:17

Praise:  St. Cyril taught against heresy no matter how intense the persecution. He rejoiced in suffering for Christ when he was falsely accused and imprisoned (see 1 Pt 4:13-16).

Reference:  (To enter through the narrow gate, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order, listen to or download any or all of the following CDs or DVDs on our website: Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, CD 82-1, DVD 82, How to Pray the Bible, CD 82-3, DVD 82, How to Read the Bible, CD 46-3, DVD 46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, CD 79-1, DVD 79.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 22, 2017

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.