Matthew, 7
14. How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!
14. How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!
St. Matthew 7 begins with Jesus teaching about judging others, warning that we will be judged in the same way as we judge others. He continues to talk about the narrow and wide, good and bad path, and the importance of practicing God's will. Jesus also talks about those who call him the Lord, but do not do the will of God, and ends with the parable of the house built in the rock and in the sand. Here are five verses related to these themes:
Proverbs 21:2: "Every way of man is straight to his own eyes, but the Lord probe the hearts." This verse relates to the idea that the wide path may seem right to our own eyes, but we must submit to God's will, who knows our hearts.
Matthew 7:12: "Everything you want others to do to you, to do them too. This is the essence of the law and the prophets." Here, Jesus teaches about doing to others what we would like to do to us, which relates to loving others as to themselves and practicing God's will.
Matthew 7:21: "Not everyone who says to me," Lord, Lord, "will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." This verse talks about the importance of practicing God's will and not just calling Jesus Lord in words.
Matthew 7:24: "Therefore, who hears these my words and practices them is like a prudent man who built his house over the rock." This verse relates to the parable of the house built on the rock and the importance of practicing the teachings of Jesus.
James 1:22: "They are not just listeners of the Word, deceiving themselves. Practice what she says." This verse reinforces the idea that the practice of the word is fundamental rather than just listening without acting.
“Quanto mais se caminha na vida espiritual, mais se sente a paz que se apossa de nós.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
