In this week’s readings lie both a promise and a warning. In Isaiah 66, God declares that he will send fugitives from exiled Israel out “to the nations…and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.” When these messengers return to Jerusalem, they will bring with them Israel’s sons and daughters, scattered in the diaspora, as well as Gentiles of every language. Together, all will enter the great banquet in the kingdom of God. 

But there is a warning as well: not all those who knock at the gate will be admitted. Some would-be guests will  insist that they were near to Jesus (“we ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets”), but this is not enough. Simply being in proximity to Jesus does not constitute knowing him, especially if we do not change our ways or obey Jesus’ words. All evildoers will be barred from entry, regardless of nationality or religious background (cf. Matt. 3:9). 

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,” Jesus warns his listeners. How can we be sure we are on the narrow path? One way is to gauge our reaction to painful trials—do we see it as discipline, training us to be strong and righteous (Heb. 12)? Do harsh circumstances lead us to greater trust in God as our father? Or do we go seeking an easier road to eternal life? 
Here then is both the promise and the warning: there is no other way. There is no painless road to eternal life. St. Benedict writes: “Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in this way of life…we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.” The difficulty of the journey does not mean we have been abandoned—rather, it is God’s way of perfecting us for the day when we may enter the feast and sit with both patriarchs and prophets “in the kingdom of God.”