Today’s readings are both challenging and reassuring that God’s way of disciplining us is the best way to bring out the best in us. In the Gospel, Jesus is asked about the number of people to be saved. His response may be a bit confusing at first glance. He presents the idea of a narrow gate that is hard to pass through. Often, we prefer what is easy and not difficult. All our saints, especially St. John of the Cross and our holy mother Teresa de Avila, taught us to choose the narrow gate, to choose God over many worldly rewards, for God alone suffices.

Today’s questions for me are: Do I follow the discipline that I must go through in following Jesus? Do I let His way and manner of disciplining me transform and renew my life? I do believe that passing through a kind of discipline is very challenging, sometimes painful, but it is worth it because, in the end, those disciplines are for my good. I am thankful to my parents, who disciplined me, as well as to my teachers, who shaped and molded my character. I am truly grateful for the discipline that I experienced during my formation as a religious. My experiences have led me to who I am right now, and my attitudes, values, and actions are towards following the way of Jesus, who teaches us to enter through the narrow gate.

The example of Fr. Palau in answering God’s call, dedicating his life to God for the service of others in the priesthood amidst the difficulties of his time, truly inspires me and strengthens my belief that our father founder was a man of discipline. I can imagine that perhaps during his time of formation, there were many challenges and rigorous discipline, but he endured the study, the prayer, and the group recreations because he wanted to dedicate his life to the service of the Church: God in our neighbors.

When we realize the importance of Jesus’ teachings and those of other saints in terms of faith and discipline, the process of transformation will begin. Perhaps the grace I could ask for based on the readings is for the Lord to grant me the grace of humility to allow God to transform me to become a better reflection of the Lord Jesus in my words, desires, and actions.

Lord, guide me through Your way, for You are the truth, the way, and the life. Amen!