The Narrow Gate: Living the Love That Saves

by Fr. John Granato  |  08/24/2025  |  Words from Fr. John

My Dear Friends,

Today’s gospel talks about salvation. How many will be saved? Jesus’ response says that only a few will enter through the narrow gate. What is the narrow gate? It is the sacrificial love that comes from the heart in following Jesus and his commandments. Wide is the path of destruction, for it comes when we live selfishly and seek a life of pleasure. The most damning aspect of the gospel is that Jesus closes the door and says to those outside that he does not know us.

What a great sadness in someone’s life to be told by the Lord that he does not know you. This comes from living a life of sin and not seeking repentance. We all know many people who have hardened their hearts when it comes to living a life of sin and vice. Many have hardened their hearts when it comes to protecting the precious life in the womb. Many in authority have hardened their hearts when it comes to abuse of minors. Many have hardened their hearts when it comes to racism and racist ideals.

Many have hardened their hearts when it comes to living a life of faith by attacking faithful Christians in the public square. Many politicians and judges have hardened their hearts when they create laws and ignore the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on making the Little Sisters of the Poor pay for abortions and contraceptives or be fined millions of dollars for not providing these things which go against the right to practice their religion without government interference.

It is not enough for us to know the Lord, for even those who know the Lord in today’s gospel ate and drank with him; rather it is to be known by the Lord. We are called to clothe the naked, to give food to the hungry, drink for the thirsty, to visit those imprisoned. We are called to do this, individually. As an individual you are called to these works of mercy. It is not about the government doing these things so we can wash our hands of these works.

To be known by Jesus is to be loved by Jesus. And he loves us too much to allow us to stay in a life of sin and vice. Let us live in the freedom of the sons and daughters of God.

God bless!