What does Jesus mean by “gate”? Jesus himself is the Gate. His way is the only way.  Todays’ Gospel teaches that we are saved by identifying ourselves with Christ even if that means we must die to ourselves.  Die to the world’s way.

     In Krakow last week, Pope Francis spoke to hundreds of young people at World Youth Day. His message to them can also be a message for us older folks.  “The times we live in do not call for young ‘couch potatoes’ but for young people with shoes, or better, boots laced. It only takes players on the first string, and it has no room for bench-warmers,” Young or old, the narrow gate calls us to walk forth with vigor and energy.

     This weekend, our prayers go with a member of St X parish who has decided to enter the Jesuits.  Josef Rodriguez has answered the call of Christ and will be entering the Jesuit novitiate in St. Paul, MN on Saturday.  You may not have seen Josef at Mass because he sat up in the choir loft.  For two years, Joe volunteered to sing (and play cello) in our choir.  If you recall our solemn service on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, it was the sound of Josef’s slow cello guiding us along the Passion narrative.  Josef taught for several years at Royalmont Academy in Mason, and I was privileged to serve as his spiritual director as he discerned the call to priesthood.  Josef received word last May that he had been accepted into the 2016 class of Jesuit novices.  He is expected to be one of about a dozen other young men entering for the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus.  To support him, I will be making a brief trip to St. Paul this weekend to accompany Josef as he enters this first stage of religious life.

     All these new novices have chosen to identify themselves with Christ.  They have chosen the narrow gate.  In what ways might you choose the narrow gate?  How could YOU identify with Christ and let go of what the world tells you is the means to salvation?  Each person, young and old, has a particular calling into the Gate which is the very life of Christ.  ENTER through him and become all you are capable of being.

− Fr. Patrick Fairbanks, S.J., Pastor