The Golden Sermon
On The
Mountain

The Broad And Narrow Way

By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
Raphael Okechukwu Nweze

The Golden Rule
         The golden rule is simple and correct summary of the network of laws that govern the universe. These laws are quite numerous in their statement and interpretations, but the point in all is that whatever you do to other will surely be done back to you. In other words, when you do to others, you have sown the seed for the same to be done back to you, inevitably. And if you do good to others, surely the same good will be done to you as a boomerang. It is inevitable, for God is God of Justice. “Whatever a man sows, that he reaps.” Many families and children are suffering because of this law, because their parents wronged one person or the other in the past.

         St Matthew said, “We must make religion our business (our everyday concern).” Very true indeed. And also, make our everyday business the same as our religion. All business transactions should be carried out in the spirit and letter of true religion – as guided by our religion.

By Their Fruits You Shall Know Them...
         By their fruits you shall know them, and by their works you shall confirm them. Their fruits refer to their thoughts, the inclinations of their hearts, the words of their mouths and their actions.
Their works mean the things they put in place : man-made doctrines, customs and traditions, hypocrisy, works that are contrary to the Holy Spirit.

         The wrong leaders tend to be proud, covetous, false and oppressive. They are more interested in defending their honours than in knowing the Truth and doing the right thing. “…They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.' ” Matthew 23:5-8

         More importantly, is the spiritual interpretations of the statement. Their fruits refer to the end result of their teachings, beliefs and practices, which blind people, lead multitudes away from the path of Truth, and put people into the hell fire. The following two verse outline and explain more.

Again, “13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.” Matthew 23:13-14

15 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves." Matthew 23:15

5 But all their works they do to be seen by men (for them to remain in leadership positions, even when they are not doing the right thing). The Bible explains more about their works.

9 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"
Matthew 15:9

3 He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? Matthew 15:3-4

         It was these customs, traditions and man-made doctrines that John the Baptist referred to saying,

……………..x:y,z

         That was why Titus states,

16 They profess to know God, but in works (of unGodliness) they deny Him, being abominable (false and contrary teaching), disobedient (unGodly), and disqualified (not acceptable as Godly) for every good work. Titus 1:15-16

         Jesus shows that an outward profession of religion, however remarkable, will not bring us to heaven, unless there be a correspondent inward seeking and transformation.

The Two Ways – The Broad And Narrow Ways
         The broad way means the following:
  1. The easy, but misleading ways of life.
  2. Fame and popularity, which often are selfish, devilish and misleading.
  3. Immediate benefits that produce everlasting sufferings.
  4. The choice of majority. The majority is not always right.
  5. Delight in public and boisterous occasions.
  6. The path of spiritual indolence (laziness), which is the delight of the ignorant majority. Majority are spiritually stagnant and compalcent, without knowing it.
         The narrow way means the following:
  1. Selflessness.
  2. The hard, but beneficial ways of life. A very good example is discipline.
  3. Consistent and persistent search for the Truth.
  4. Regular spiritual practice, which include devotion, quiet times and meditation.
  5. Brotherhood and Transcendence.
The Blessed Virgin Marys And Josephs Of This Generation.
         The Catholics honour the Blessed Virgin Mary. Truly, I say to you that while it is good to honour those to whom honour is due, it is far much better to become one of the saints. Very importantly, recognize the Blessed Virgin Marys and Josephs living in our midst today. For there are many virgin girls and boys who are already spiritually filled with the Word of God. For as Jesus was in the belly of Blessed Virgin Mary, in the same way the Word spiritually indwells many Blessed Virgin Marys and Josephs of today.
Blessed are those who hear the voice of the lamb and follow Him to everlasting pastures. Honour belongs to those to whom honour is due, but worship belongs only to the One True God, who is The First, The Only and The Last.
I must warn you! The idea of making images or statutes are misleading, indeed.
Besides, there is no Angel or Saint, who wants you to pray to him or her. Every Angel or Saint wants you to know and worship God.