STRIVE TO ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW GATE

Acrylic on archival quality masonite. 

“Enter by 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 ffind it are few.” 

* Matthew 7; 13-14 

Jesus mentions the narrow gate and the narrow door twice in the scriptures. The lower third of this naïve styled painting depicts the spiritual struggle of mankind as we work out our salvation on the way towards the narrow gate. The narrow gate is Jesus Christ. Jesus told us that none come to the Father but through him.

The narrow road is painted gold, the same colour as the heavenly kingdom because those who walk on this road walk in the light of Christ. Our earthly pilgrimage is worked out through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, hence we see men and women assisting their brothers and sisters to climb up to the narrow road in acts of compassion and mercy. Jesus told us that whatever we do to the least of our brothers, we do to him. 

The Blessed Mother comes to give solace and assistance to those who have fallen, through sin on the wayside. Her presence enables her children to begin again, 

the climb.

On the narrow road we see the 21 Coptic Christian martyrs who refused to denounce their faith in Christ before being beheaded by Isis. They are a witness to us all.

The upper half of the work is filled with joy ffilled Easter coloursand a deep gold background. Shards of light are streaming down on the mountains. 

Everything is blooming in the heavenly kingdom.

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