Sunday Gospel Reflection, 7th Sunday of Easter (June 1, 2025)
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“The Narrow Door of Love and Humility”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus delivers a sobering yet hopeful message: “Strive to enter through the narrow door.” This call is not just about effort—it’s about transformation. It’s not enough to merely be in proximity to Jesus or to associate ourselves with faith from the outside. He’s inviting us to live in a way that is radically shaped by love, humility, and service.
Respect and Reverance
This theme is echoed in Paul’s words to the Ephesians. Whether child or parent, master or servant, Paul calls every person into a relationship of mutual respect and reverence—not based on status, but on our shared dignity in Christ. Notice how revolutionary this was in the Roman world, and still is today: the Christian life dismantles the power hierarchies we cling to, replacing them with a community where all are one in the Lord.
Psalm 145 bursts with praise for this very God—a King whose reign is defined not by domination, but by kindness, mercy, and faithfulness. “The Lord is faithful in all his words, and holy in all his works.”
Perfectionism Prevents Authenticity
Together, these readings challenge us. Are we striving for the narrow door—not of perfectionism or fear—but of authentic discipleship? Do our relationships reflect Christ’s command to love and serve, especially where it is least convenient or most difficult? The door is narrow not because God is harsh, but because self-centeredness can’t fit through it.
Let us walk today with humility and trust, seeking not to be first, but to be faithful.
Mike Schramm lives in southeastern Minnesota with his wife and seven children. There, he teaches theology and philosophy at Aquinas High School and Viterbo University. He earned his MA in theology from St. Joseph's College in Maine and an MA in philosophy from Holy Apostles College. He is also the managing editor of the Voyage Compass, an imprint of Voyage Comics and Publishing, and co-hosts the Voyage Podcast with Jacob Klatte.
