When Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, to face his Passion and death, someone crossed his path and asked him this anxious question; “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” (Luke 13:23).
Not wanting to be drawn into an abstract discussion of soteriology -- the study of salvation -- Jesus instead goes straight to the heart of the matter by making the question personal. Jesus knows that the person is really asking, “Am I going to be saved?” so Jesus tells them to “Strive to enter by the narrow door” (Luke 13:24).
The “narrow door” or “gate” was an actual gate for entering into the city of Jerusalem. Like many cities at that time, Jerusalem was a walled city; a large wall surrounded the city to protect it from invaders. Of course there were numerous doors or gates for getting into the city. One was known as the “narrow” gate because it was too small for a loaded camel to get through. In order to get through the “narrow gate” a person would have to unload his camel. In more contemporary language, you had to “drop your baggage.”
Lent is a time for us to “drop our baggage.” In order to be saved, Jesus tells us that we must give him our heart, without reserve. Lent is a time for us to look at all the baggage we have picked up. Maybe it is the baggage of our affections, which draws us away from Jesus’ words and his Sacred Heart. This is the bag we carry when we carry anger, resentment, and bitterness towards people you may or may not have disappointed or harmed us. If we are carrying that baggage we will not be able to get through the narrow gate.
Maybe it is the baggage of possessions. Sometimes we can get caught up in the glitter and “wow-factor” of the latest new style or gizmo. We spend a lot of time working at getting those things, which often are not bad in and of themselves. However, when we work so hard to get material things that we neglect our relationship with our spouse, our children, and Jesus then those “things” become baggage that keeps us from entering into the narrow gate.
We all want people to like us, and to respect us. We put time into establishing our reputations. Again, there is nothing wrong with wanting to have a good name, but when it because just an exercise of our prideful ego, then it becomes a bag that keeps us from getting through the narrow gate.
Lent is a time for letting go of our baggage which keeps us from entering through the narrow gate of salvation into the Sacred Heart of Jesus. So before deciding to give up chocolate or whatever it is you always give up for Lent, take a careful look at the bags you are carrying. Maybe something other than chocolate or TV is keeping you from going through the narrow gate. If so, ask Jesus to help you unload your unwanted bags. The fire of his Sacred Heart will change ours if we but only allow him.