Without that spiritual struggle we shall never reach Heaven, for the soul that has ceased to struggle is being carried off as a defeated prisoner in the opposite direction.  Of this truth we have Our Blessed Lord’s own assurance: “Fight your way in at the narrow door…” (Luke 13:24 – see note), “…for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it.  For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (NRSV, Matthew 7:13,14).  And, indeed, there are few who want to find it.

But Our Lord Jesus Christ trod the way that led to Calvary so that we could tread the way that leads to life, the life in his visible Presence with the blessed Saints and angels.

And if we faithfully keep close to him, within his Church, the power by which he mastered evil then will be given to us also, and under the protection of our Holy Guardian Angel, we can reach our true journey’s end.

Note

From the New Testament of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ translated from the Latin Vulgate by Knox, R. (1948) London: Burns Oates and Washbourne Ltd.