Yoga
In yoga, there is an expression regarding stress. The pose begins when we want to leave it. I think it applies to today's Gospel reading.
‘Enter through the narrow gate; 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. ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits. ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. - Matthew 7:13-21
When we push ourselves to our limits, we feel stress, and it is normal to see that stress as a sign to lessen the load, to ease off. But in yoga, that is the point where we expand our abilities, the gentle stresses help us to push beyond our limits.
In today's Gospel, Jesus gives us a choice to consider, the easy road and the more difficult one, the one with more stress.
Stress can be a good indicator that we are on the right path. The more difficult challenge may not only be the more rewarding to accomplish, but it may lead us to discover more about ourselves.
Jesus also warns us to be careful who we follow. Some trees he says bear fruit that is not good for us, and it is up to us to be able to discern the good from the bad.
If something starts to feel wrong, we should take heed. It may not be the same as testing our limits in a good way. We could be led astray by deceivers.
Just because someone says all the right things, he may not be true to his words.
So, today's lesson is to approach life with determination to become better, and caution to seek the right path. Both are in our free will, our choice, and both can be good teachers.
More to come...