In today’s gospel, following the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a series of four scenes which accent the importance of a real-world response to what has been heard – and then warns of the consequences of failing to respond. The scenes, each in their own way, draws out the contrast between a right and a wrong response, between the true and the false, the saved and the lost. These verses (vv.13-27) form a conclusion to the Sermon exhorting the hearers to make the righteous response.

The four scenes can be thought of as the following:

• Scene 1: The Broad and Narrow Roads (7:13-14)
• Scene 2: False Prophets – Good and Bad Fruit (7:15-20)
• Scene 3: Insiders and Outsiders – Things may not be as they seem (7:21-23)
• Scene 4: Two House Builders – Hearing and Doing (7:24-27)

The Broad and Narrow Roads: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” (Mt 7:13-14)

The first contrast is stark and clear: life and destruction.  The scene does not describe a marginally successful attempt to follow the way of the kingdom. The two roads lead in opposite directions – you are either saved or lost. The roads are contrasted by their character (broad or narrow), their popularity (followed by many and few), and in their destination: “the choice between life and death” (Jer 21:8). The implication from the text is that those who find their way to life will be a minority. This is consistent with the repeated implication that the disciples stand out/apart from the majority in the society in which they live and as such are subject to persecution.  All this adds a sense of urgency to the call to “seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness” (Mt 6:33).

In Matthew’s theology, the Christian life is clearly upon the narrow way, but life is not thought of in static terms, as a condition or once-for-all decision, but as the road of righteous living between the initial call of the disciple and the final welcome into the kingdom. It is as the Catholic Church describes the pathway of sanctification/holiness between justification and salvation. The repeated emphasis that many are called but few are chosen makes the point that the call is universal, the response less so, and those that endure make up a smaller group. The message reminds us and encourages us that the life of holiness is a decision which is made anew every day.

A decision that each day faces the two gates and two roads. On one side, we have the wide gate and the broad road, which appear inviting and easy to follow. This path represents the ways of the world, the pursuit of self-centered desires, and the allure of instant gratification. It is a path where we can find temporary pleasures and fleeting happiness, but ultimately it leads to destruction. It is a path of slogans and catchphrases.

On the other side, we have the small gate and the narrow road, which may appear difficult and less attractive to the world. This path represents the ways of God and the pursuit of holiness. It is a path that requires discipline, mindfulness, sacrifice, and a willingness to go against the current of popular culture. It is a path that leads to life, eternal life in communion with God.

In our modern world, the role of marketing and advertising seems to be to constantly bombard us with messages that tempt us to choose the wide gate and the broad road. The world tells us that true happiness lies in wealth, power, things, and satisfying our every desire. It encourages us to prioritize our own desires above all else. Once we prioritize our own desires, we are no longer on the path of love. We are on the road leading away from God.