Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Luke 13:22–30

I spent last weekend on the bathroom floor, soaking my chickens’ feet in warm water and Epsom salts. Chicken Little acquired bumblefoot, a common bacterial infection, but without treatment, it can be fatal. With the location of the inflammation being on the bottom of her feet, my husband was curious: “How did you know she had bumblefoot?” The answer was easy: “I know my chickens.”

My husband knows information about the chickens: the breeds we should add to the flock, how to build a safe coop, and the exact date to switch from grower to layer feed. I, on the other hand, am the one who knows the chickens: whose cluck is whose, who loves to snuggle, who will peck your eye out before sharing the watermelon. So, when I saw Chicken Little’s unusual behavior, I paid closer attention. And there it was—the limping. Without hesitation, I scooped her up and inspected her feet, and we’ve been on the bathroom floor ever since. She’s been surprisingly docile throughout the treatment, but the biggest surprise has been the way she’s strengthening my relationship with God.

If you need a spiritual director, Chicken Little is available.

Since owning backyard chickens, the connections I’ve drawn from the coop to my walk with the Lord have been endless. As for the bumblefoot situation, this might be my favorite lesson of all, because it just so happens to coincide perfectly with this Sunday’s gospel, the one about the person who asks Jesus, “Will only a few people be saved?” (Luke 13:23). “You don’t need to worry about that!” is not how Jesus responds. He answers with a command: “Strive to enter through the narrow door,” followed by a warning: The door will shut, and will stay shut, on those Jesus does not recognize (Luke 13:22–30).

There’s just no sugar-coating this one, friends. So what do you say we break this down and take it seriously so that none of us are asked to depart and sent to a place where we will weep and gnash our teeth? 

Let’s start with the narrow door, shall we?

Knowing that our coop would have to be predator safe, my husband built an off-the-ground structure and installed an electric coop door for added security. It is a narrow door, and programmed to close at sundown. When this door shuts, it stays shut. The door that leads to the chicken run, however, is made for people, and so it is broad. Every time the girls see me coming, they swarm the entrance like a bunch of restless inmates eager for their chance to escape. While watching them free range would bring me tremendous joy, it would make the hawk and coyote even happier. Narrow door equals life. Broad door equals death. Get the picture?

Now, how about we move on to the part where we stand outside the door knocking, and Jesus says, “I do not know where you come from,” moments before slamming the door shut in our face, shall we?

The only thing more traumatizing than watching a hawk attack my chickens is standing before God and hearing Him say, “I do not know where you are from” (Luke 13:27). This verse haunts me. “But Laura,” you say, “You don’t have to worry. You speak about God, and work for an apostolate, and your chicken is a spiritual director—of course, He knows you!” But does He? Because here is the thing: knowing about Jesus is not the same as being in friendship with Jesus. Association with Jesus and following Him are two different things. Remember, it’s not the one who says, “‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father” (Matthew 7:21). Remember what Chicken Little’s bumblefoot taught us; while head knowledge is a good foundation to have, it isn’t enough. Facts won’t save us, but a relationship will.

So, what do we need to do to ensure we are not left standing on the opposite side of the closed door, weeping and gnashing our teeth for an eternity?

Well, if you were a chicken, I’d tell you to strive for that narrow door before sunset; otherwise, you’ll end up like my chicken, Mary-Kate Olsen, a beautiful Buff Orpington breed, who lingered too long in the run, and was discovered looking bewildered at the top of the ramp, her sweet feathered body pressed up against a tightly closed door. But let’s say you are not a chicken; I’d still encourage you to strive for the narrow door, because these are Jesus’ words, not mine. To strive means to devote serious effort or energy, to struggle against obstacles with perseverance and determination. Look, someone’s got to say it, and because my chicken doesn’t speak or write in English, I guess it will be me: Jesus isn’t waiting at the gate handing out trophies and juice boxes because you showed up; He’s looking to reward the ones who strived to know Him, the ones who spent quality time with Him, the ones who broke a sweat.

Have you ever tried to fit through a space that was too narrow? It’s not easy, is it? It can be excruciating. And that’s the point. The spiritual life is not a dustbath; it is a battle, and if you don’t know what a dustbath is, get yourself a chicken, and you’ll find out. The reality is, if you want to be saved, you'd better roll up your sleeves and get ready to fight your way toward friendship with Jesus, because being a “good person” is not enough. We fight through frequenting the sacraments, daily prayer, self-denial, and conforming our will to the will of the Father. Don't settle for merely living near God, but live for God and with God. And when choosing the narrow way feels impossible to get through, remember that while this life is a war, the victory is glorious, and nothing is impossible with God.

I’ve got to go now. It’s almost sundown, and I need to check on the chickens. I wish you could hear their clucks of joy and sounds of rejoicing when they see me walking toward the gate. With their wings spread wide and squawks of delight, you’d think I was a celebrity. But alas, it’s just me, the one who feeds them, holds them, listens to them, loves them, and will spend a weekend on the bathroom floor with them. It’s because of this that they recognize who I am, and I won’t lie; it feels good to be known.

Food for thought or journaling …

Do you know about God, or do you know God? What small step can you take to know God more intimately?

Oh Lord, help us to strive to know You personally, and to choose a relationship with You over head knowledge about You. Like a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings, may we dwell in the safety and warmth of Your intimate presence, on earth, and for an eternity. We love You and thank You for everything—especially the chickens. Amen.

P.S. Why Is Jesus Interested in My Friendship is Lesson 3 in the Walking with Purpose Bible study, Opening Your Heart. I highly suggest you read (or re-read) this lesson with your chicken. And if you don’t have a chicken, get one.