Enter through the narrow gate.
“Do not do to another which is unpleasant to you," says the proverb. The Gospel goes on. Jesus does not build his teaching on the necessary prohibitions but completes the ethics of the Decalogue by showing a positive evaluation of human behavior. "Don't do!" - it is too little for him. "Act!" - by seeing, recognizing, respecting authentic values. So, you cannot justify yourself by saying: I have done nothing wrong. A Christian must ask: Have I done good enough? This is an extremely important, even essential feature of his portrait.
Jesus' comment, " This is the Law and the Prophets," shows the deepest sense of the prohibitions in the Decalogue. They are not only to arbitrarily block the path of evil, but also uphold positive values. Each "No!" of The Decalogue and accompanying explanations takes into account specific, important matters, issues and problems important for man and human society. It is by no means about prohibitions for the sake of prohibitions, about diminishing human freedom. For freedom does not consist in breaking down or removing all limitations, but in finding, accepting and following the path of good. Of course, it is not easy. That is why Jesus formulates a principle that Christians must remember deeply: Enter through the narrow gate. This means that it is not easy to move towards true and responsible freedom. But the space that opens behind this gate is enormous, it is the greatness of God himself.
What is this "narrow gate"? It is the ability to choose what is truly and objectively good - sometimes against oneself and against the world. It is a consistent adherence to the chosen and recognized values. And this requires keeping yourself, your nature, your reflexes and habits, your habits and weaknesses in discipline. So, what is needed is asceticism, the ability to overcome oneself and renounce what is less important, which has "even the appearance of evil" - as St. Paul said (cf. 1 Thess. 5:22). The "narrow gate" is no longer choosing between what is good and what is bad - but choosing what is better and more perfect - and this is usually more difficult. But also more fruitful, and in the end only this turns out to be a permanent value. Jesus calls this durability "the way that leads to life." So, the Christian knows why it is not enough to do to others what displeases us. Remember: Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george