Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 21st Week in Ordinary time – Sunday – Cycle C – Luke 13:22-30

On His way toward Jerusalem, after offering several parables on the Kingdom of God, Christ responds directly to a man’s question who asks “if many will be saved or only a few.” Christ offers the Parable of the Narrow Door in response to the question. Christ urges men to rigorously practice their faith to be saved (to enter in the Narrow Door) for many who were unrepentant in life and want to enter Heaven upon death won’t be accepted.

Christ (the householder) after His Resurrection (has risen up) will close Heaven (shut the door). Despite the pleading of men who were unrepentant casual Catholics (we ate and drank with you), Christ (the householder) will refuse to accept them (I do not know where you come from; depart from Me), calling them evil doers (workers of iniquity) and casting them into Hell (weeping and gnashing of teeth).

Christ reveals that Old Testament patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) and many Gentiles from around the world (east, west, north and south) will be accepted into great feast of Heaven (at table) and many, who assume they will be in Heaven, will not.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Christ reveals the difficulty in entering Heaven and the existence of Hell. Divine Teacher, Christ offers the powerful and memorable Parable of the Narrow Door which continues to capture men’s attention. Divine Judge, Christ gives a glimpse of His hard-nose treatment of those who are unrepentant and casual in the faith.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Some in the Catholic Church, even those with pedigree and power, persist in promoting the heresy that there is a “reasonable hope” that all men will enter Heaven. Reread Christ’s strong words in today’s Gospel to dispel that lie.

2) The modern culture denigrates the ages-old role of men as leaders of their families and society. God has specifically chosen to be revealed as masculine (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and purposefully established patriarchy in the Church; the Patriarchs (Abraham, Issac and Jacob), the Prophets, the Apostles, the Catholic priesthood, and the headship of men in families. Pray for Christ to help you to, with prudence and sacrificial charity, be a heroic leader, protecter and provider in your family and parish.

3) Given the inherent unworthiness of men due to their frequent sin, due both to the sinful things men do (commission) and the holy things men do not do (omission), only by God’s Grace are men saved. Casual Catholicism is insufficient for salvation. Resolve, with the help of Christ’s Grace, to give your absolute best to Christ and to pray to be one of the few He judges as worthy to enter through the Narrow Door.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Glorious Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Blessed Trinity

Virtue of the Day – Charity

Corporal Work of Mercy – To feed the hungry

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To admonish the sinner