Reflection for the 21st Sunday In Ordinary Time, Cycle C

  Many years ago on a family vacation to Italy we found ourselves roaming the streets of Venice. Our destination that evening was a      small restaurant near Saint Mark’s Square. GPS on our phone gave us the choice of a quick route and a longer route. Normally we          would choose the quickest way, but that night we chose to follow the longer directions. It led us through the narrowest streets and

  across the narrowest bridges. The walk was more difficult, the paths were winding, and the cobblestones hurt our feet. But when I

  look back at the photos of our trip, the ones from that night bring back the greatest memories because on that route we saw sights

  and experienced beauty that we would not have experienced had we taken the wider and more direct way. Had we taken the

  easiest route our experience would not have been the same.

  Our Gospel today is asking us to think about the route to salvation that we are choosing to take. It is urging us to think about

  salvation and how we are to achieve it. Though salvation is offered to all, it is not automatic and though we may be tempted

  sometimes to think that achieving it is an easy path, we are reminded that we must endure difficult times and humble ourselves in

  order to enter by the narrow gate. In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that salvation does not come on the basis of privilege but on our

  actions.

  What then is the narrow door? It is Jesus! He himself told us, “I am the door” (Jn 10:9). Pope Francis provided great wisdom about the    path to salvation when he spoke in an Angelus address that Jesus “leads us to  communion with the Father, where we find love,   

  understanding and protection. But why is this door narrow, one might ask? Why does he say it is narrow? It is a narrow door not

  because it is oppressive, but because it demands that we restrain and limit our pride and our fear, in order to open ourselves to Him

  with humble and trusting hearts, acknowledging that we are sinners and in need of his forgiveness. This is why it is narrow, to limit

  our pride, which swells us. The door of God’s mercy is narrow but is always open to everyone! The door is narrow but always open

  wide: do not forget this.”

  Pope Benedict in a 2002 Angelus address explains that “the passage to eternal life is open to all, but it is “narrow” because it is

  demanding: it requires commitment, self-denial and the mortification of one’s  selfishness.” Pope Benedict further reminds us that

  “if  we too want to pass through the narrow door, we must work to be little, that is, humble of heart like Jesus, like Mary his Mother     

  and our Mother.

  Taking the narrower path requires humility, it requires an admission that life is not measured by what we  possess, but rather by how

  much we have given up in order to become closer to Jesus. Entering by the  narrower path requires shedding those things that “puff

  us up” and make it difficult to enter. It is by emptying ourselves of the things that lead us away from Jesus that we become able to

  enter His presence through the narrow gate.

  Be courageous my friends, for the journey that leads to heaven can often be difficult, so “strengthen your drooping hands and your

  weak knees,” (Heb 12:12) and make a straight smooth path for your feet to travel. Do this and at the end of the journey, when you

  knock and ask Our Lord to open the door, He will welcome you warmly.

  Peace and blessings,

  Deacon Anthony Cioe

2025 APPEAL

This year’s theme: “Our Journey United in Hope,” is inspired by the theme of the Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope.”

 It reflects our collective commitment to walk on the path together with the hope Christ has provided us.

It invites us to be renewed in hope by bringing hope to others through individual gifts. Through our various ministries across the diocese your gift is shared and brings comfort, relief, encouragement and support to many.

Next weekend, February 8^th & 9^th, we will be holding our Catholic Ministries Appeal In-Pew Weekend. In preparation, you should receive a mailing from Bishop Sullivan that will include the 2025 South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal materials. I ask that you please consider donating to this year’s campaign. It is important that we come together to support our ministries. They need the resources necessary to continue serving those in need.

By supporting the Catholic Ministries Appeal, you are supporting those who comprise the programs and ministries of the Diocese of Camden. These ministries serve the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the hungry and challenged. When we support the Catholic Ministries Appeal, we can bring the light of hope to those in the Catholic community of South Jersey.

Please prayerfully consider joining us once again.