"Risen Lamb Writings"
"The Narrow Gate"
The "gate" of the wounded side of the
Lamb is also the "narrow gate"; for, it is the "gate" of exclusive, committed,
sacrificial love--a fully-focused, covenant love. It is the gate of life, the
gate of "fierce friendship" with the Lamb who was slain. The daily disciplines
of devoted love--contemplative communion, self-renunciation, loving sacrifice,
forgiveness, and intercession (to name a few)--help one to live close to the
pierced heart of the Lamb. Contemplative intercessors are drawn to this "narrow
gate" to encounter Jesus, the "mystery of God", both for themselves and for
others.
St. Bernard says this of Jesus: "It is in the true heart that he
dwells and there
he speaks" (From a sermon by Saint Bernard, abbot, LH, vol. IV, p.
231). Here at the "narrow gate" the Lamb
shares "celestial secrets" with loving, listening, attentive hearts: "God's
wisdom, mysterious, hidden" (1 Cr. 2:7). At the "narrow gate" his precious
Blood "speaks" ("The sprinkled blood
that speaks"--Heb. 12:24); and his living waters ("His voice
was like the sound of rushing water"--Rev. 1:15B) "give voice" to his
loving heart thoughts: "For from the fullness of the heart the mouth
speaks" (Mt. 12:34). These "whispers
of light", these pearls of wisdom, feed one's own personal growth in
holiness, and also help to inform one on how to pray for others. Here the
thirsty soul cries out, "In my inmost being teach me wisdom" (Ps. 51:8).
Through the "breached Temple wall", the
Lamb's wounded side, riches flow
out--from his pierced heart within, the "Temple Treasury". Here at the "narrow
gate" one has access to these "treasures out of the darkness and riches that
have been hidden away" (Is. 45:3). For, as Tobit and Job remind us, "The
gates of Jerusalem shall be built with sapphire and emerald" (Tobit
13:16B); and "The Almighty himself shall be your gold and your sparkling
silver" (Job 22:25).
Here at the "narrow gate" are shared "relational
riches": "Sapphires" of sanctity;
"rubies" of redeeming love; "emeralds" of intimate encounter; and "diamonds" of
devotion. Here the receptive heart cries out, "Oh the depth of the riches and
wisdom and knowledge of God" (Rom. 11:33). Here, the yearning soul experiences,
"The knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ, in whom are hidden all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:3). Thirsty, devoted
hearts are drawn further inward beyond the "Temple Wall" to the true treasure
of his pierced heart:
"They are
led in with glad and joyous acclaim; they enter the palace of the
king" (Ps. 45:16).
Questions:
1) Are
there any "whispers of light" that the Lord has shared with me recently?
2) Who
have I been praying for recently at the "narrow gate"?
Scriptures:
Any scripture from the text; Hg.
2:8; 1Cr. 1:30
