A: When a mountain climber, after hanging on ropes over steep and treacherous cliffs and dangerous crevices for days or weeks on end, finally reaches the summit of a high mountain peak, he automatically becomes a heroic figure. People admire his courage, determination, and endurance. Yet what about the man who gets to the top of the very same mountain by using a motorized lift? No one admires someone who simply climbs into a gondola and pushes a button to get to the top.
Mankind traditionally respects and admires only great and extraordinary works of effort; feats which require willpower, determination, extreme courage, endurance, as well as great mental and physical sacrifices. We have little to no respect for anything made easy. And given how we have come to define sainthood, I guess that goes for spirituality as well.
Unfortunately we live in an "arm chair" society. We have grown lazy and are constantly searching for short cuts in all areas of life – including how we practice the Christian Faith. Because people often feel that the old road to heaven is far too rough and way too narrow, they seek after much easier routes – ones that might seem easier by appearing wider, smoother, and perhaps even shorter.
Have we forgotten that our Lord specifically instructed us to take only the narrow path because the wide road leads to destruction? Christ, too, fasted, attended services often, read Holy Scripture, and practiced great acts of self-discipline – even unto and accepting His Father’s will and carrying His own cross to Golgotha!
Keep in mind the ending verses of Robert Frost's famous poem, The Road Not Taken: "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."
Staying upon the "road less traveled" might seem harder and more difficult, but since this is the same road traveled by our Lord and all His Saints, think of the good company you'll be in keeping with!
Fr. John
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