Related Articles
A deep and timely spiritual guide to rediscovering the true following of Christ
Introduction: The Forgotten Echo of an Eternal Warning
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Mt 7:13-14)
These words of the Lord, which resound powerfully in the Sermon on the Mount, are today almost a whisper lost amid the deafening noise of moral relativism, the culture of comfort, and the fear of sacrifice. The “Narrow Way,” the demanding and yet glorious path that leads to holiness, seems to have faded from the spiritual map of modern man. Where is the longing of the saints to live for God and die to themselves? Why have we traded the Cross for comfort, the Gospel for self-help, Truth for boundless tolerance?
This article is a call to awaken. An invitation to rediscover, through a rigorous theological and pastorally concrete lens, the narrow path that Christ marked out for us—not as one option among many, but as the only road to eternal life.
I. The Narrow Way in Revelation: A Path Always Present
From the Old Testament, God presents His people with a fundamental dilemma: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life” (Deut 30:19). This choice is not merely ethical but deeply existential: it is about living according to God or against Him. Following Yahweh involves obedience, renunciation, and fidelity. It is not the path of the crowds, but of the faithful.
With the fullness of Revelation in Christ, this choice becomes more concrete and more demanding. Jesus does not hide the conditions of discipleship: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mt 16:24). The way of the Kingdom is neither broad nor comfortable; it is a narrow and steep path, filled with trials, persecutions, and purifications. And yet, it is the only path that leads to true joy, freedom of soul, and eternal life.
The “Narrow Way” is not an isolated metaphor: it is a constant in Jesus’ teaching. It is the radical nature of the Gospel versus the mediocrity of the world. It is the life of the saints, not of the lukewarm. It is the way of Heaven, which has always opposed the easy slide into perdition.
II. Relativism: The Smooth Pavement of the Broad Road
The great problem of our time is not so much sin—which has always existed—but the denial of sin. Not so much error, but the glorification of error as if it were just another valid form of truth. Benedict XVI, with prophetic lucidity, defined relativism as “the greatest threat to faith in our time.” Relativism denies that there is objective truth, a universal good, a correct path. Everything depends, everything is subjective, everything is negotiable.
In this context, the Narrow Way becomes scandalous. The world sees it as intolerant, fanatical, backward. Who dares today to say there is only one way to salvation? Who proclaims without fear that we must renounce certain practices, pleasures, or ideologies to be truly Christian?
Relativism makes the narrow gate appear unnecessary. Wide gates open in the name of inclusion, but they do not lead to life. A mercy without conversion is preached, a faith without the cross, a Christianity without the crucified Christ. And thus, the very essence of the Gospel is distorted.
III. The Narrow Way in Tradition: The Path of the Saints
Throughout history, the saints have walked the Narrow Way as a luminous path, though filled with thorns. St. Francis of Assisi embraced it in radical poverty. St. Teresa of Jesus traveled it through the dark night of the soul. St. John Vianney embodied it in austere penance. St. Maximilian Kolbe fulfilled it by giving his life for another.
What did they all have in common? They were not perfect, but they were faithful. They did not choose what was easy, but what was true. They did not seek popularity but to please God. They lived with one desire: “Be holy as the Father is holy” (cf. Mt 5:48).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that the Christian path is not a process of painless evolution: “The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle” (CCC 2015). And earlier: “The call to holiness is a call to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity” (CCC 2013).
IV. Practical Applications: How to Walk the Narrow Way Today
Today’s world pushes us toward the wide road. How can we resist this current? How can we live the Narrow Way without falling into legalism or fanaticism? Here are some theological and pastoral keys:
1. Form the conscience according to revealed Truth
Relativism begins when the conscience is no longer illuminated by the Word of God. Studying the Catechism, meditating on Scripture, and being well-formed in Catholic doctrine is the first step to distinguishing the narrow gate from the illusion.
2. Rediscover the value of sacrifice
The cross is not an accident along the way; it is part of the way. Offering up suffering, practicing penance, living in sobriety, and avoiding the idolatry of pleasure: all these purify the soul and strengthen the spirit.
3. Live the sacraments with reverence and consistency
Especially the Eucharist and Confession, which are food and medicine on the journey. There is no holiness without grace, and there is no grace without sacraments lived with deep faith.
4. Choose the difficult path for love of Christ
In every daily decision, there is a small crossroads: do I choose what is easy or what is right? What I like or what edifies me? What everyone else does or what God wants? Holiness is built with small daily “yeses” to God.
5. Seek spiritual direction and community
You do not walk alone. The support of a confessor, a spiritual director, or a community faithful to Tradition can sustain us in times of fatigue and help us not to stray from the path.
6. Accept that holiness is costly—but worth more than anything
The world offers a thousand cross-free paths, but without life. Christ offers one path with the cross—but with resurrection. As St. Peter said: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68).
V. The Narrow Way Is Not Elitist: It Is for All Who Truly Love
Some fear that speaking about the narrow path will “scare people” or create guilt complexes. But this is not the case. The Narrow Way is not elitist. It is not for “spiritual superheroes.” It is for all who love. For all who have discovered that it is better to lose everything than to lose God. For all who understand that true love requires self-giving, and self-giving requires renunciation.
Holiness is not for a few chosen souls: it is the universal call of every baptized person. But one must desire it, seek it, fight for it. As St. Teresa of the Andes said: “God wants me to be a saint, and I want what He wants.”
Conclusion: Do You Dare Enter Through the Narrow Gate?
We live in confusing times, where evil is called good and good is called evil (cf. Is 5:20). Where everything is negotiated, adapted, relativized. But the Gospel has not changed. Christ is still waiting for those who dare to love Him with all their hearts, along the difficult but sure path. The Narrow Way has not disappeared—it is only covered in dust. And it needs brave travelers to rediscover it.
Will you be one of them?
Final Prayer
Lord Jesus, You who are the Way, the Truth, and the Life,
teach us to enter through the narrow gate.
Give us strength to renounce sin, constancy to follow You faithfully,
and burning love to embrace the cross each day.
May we not seek what is easy, but what is eternal.
May we not fear what is demanding, but fear straying from You.
Mary, Queen of Saints, guide us on the narrow path to Your Son.
Amen.
