narrow gate

2 kings 19:9-36; Psalm 48 God upholds his city forever; Matthew 7:6, 12-14

JEsus says, "How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. ANd those who find it are few."

It is fitting that today as we remember the lives of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More we reflect on the narrow path that leads to life.

Both St. John Fisher and St. Thomas Moore chose to enter through the narrow gate.
Both chose to defend the dignity and sanctity of marriage, refusing to acknowledge and accept the divorce of King Henry VII and his marriage to Anne Boleyn.

Both also refused to take the oath of the Act of succession acknowledging King Henry VII as supreme head of the Church. They stood firm in the face of opposition and danger. Both guarded the dignity and sanctity of marriage and the primacy of the Papacy.

They both were tried as traitors, executed for treason to the throne, and martyred for the faith.

St. John Fisher, on his way to the tower as he prepared for his execution is said to have prayed and then open the Bible one last time for inspiration and consolation. Upon opening the bible his eyes met this passage from the passage of the gospel of John where Jesus prays to the Father, "This is life eternal, that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have glorified you on earth and finished the work you gave me to do."


They both chose the narrow gate and found life eternal.

May we do the same.

"Remember the Christian life is one of action; not speech and daydreams. Let there be few words and many deeds and let them be done well." St. Vicent Pallotti