The Face of Mercy / Daniel Conway

Blessed Virgin Mary helps us enter through the narrow gate

“What took place most singularly in the Virgin Mary also takes place within us, spiritually, when we receive the word of God with a good and sincere heart and put it into practice. It is as if God takes flesh within us; he comes to dwell in us, for he dwells in all who love him and keep his word. It is not easy to understand this, but really, it is easy to feel it in our heart.” (Pope Francis)

From the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis has called attention to the Blessed Virgin Mary’s role as “a gate that exactly follows the form of Jesus: the gate of the heart of Jesus, demanding, but open to all.”

As a gateway, Mary not only shows us the way to her son, Jesus, but she also intercedes for us, making it easier for us to seek and find him.

According to the Holy Father, Mary “welcomed [Jesus] with all her heart and followed him every day of her life, even when she did not understand, even when a sword pierced her soul.”

In her role as mother of God and our mother, Mary nurtures and protects us. She argues on our behalf even, or especially, when we have sinned and lost our way. “Mary is the mother,” Pope Francis says, “and a mother’s main concern is the health of her children. … Our Lady guards our health … helps us grow, face life and be free.”

Mary never turned away from the pain and suffering in her own life or in the life of her Son. She did not pretend to understand why Jesus had to endure mockery, torture and an excruciatingly painful death on a cross. But she accepted God’s will and she did everything in her power to support and comfort Jesus as he suffered and died for us.

Mary suffered, too, as only a mother could, but her suffering was offered up for the sake of her children. She faced life on life’s terms and, in so doing, she was set free.

Reflecting on the passage in St. Luke’s Gospel where Jesus is asked how many (or how few) people will be saved

(Lk 13:22-24), Pope Francis observes that “The way to heaven is difficult and the gate to enter small, but Jesus’ mother, Mary, who herself entered through the narrow gate, will help those who ask.” This is what the Holy Father means when he says that “Mary is the gate of the heart of Jesus.” She shows us the way and then helps us to enter through the narrow gate.

In St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says: “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).

There is no easy road to heaven, no broad pathway or wide-open door. Too many obstacles stand in our way and the entrance is small. “Strive to enter through the narrow gate,” Jesus says, “for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter, but will not be strong enough” (Lk 13:24).

Jesus makes it clear that it is not a question of numbers. “There is no ‘closed number’ in Paradise! But it is a question of going through the right passage, which is there, for everyone, but it is narrow,” Pope Francis tells us. That’s why we should turn to Mary. We should follow her example and ask her to help us along the way.

Jesus invites us to take personal responsibility, to imitate him and to empty ourselves of the material and spiritual burdens that make it difficult for us to face life and be free.

As the pope tells us, Jesus does not deceive people; he does not say that the way to heaven is a big, beautiful highway with a large door at the end, to not worry. “No, Jesus tells us things as they are: the passage is narrow.” And many who seek to enter God’s kingdom discover they don’t have the capacity to make it through.

Mary our mother is determined to point the way and help us make it to heaven. If only we will turn to her and allow her to help us to “face life and be free.”
 

(Daniel Conway is a member of The Criterion’s editorial committee.) †