Gospel (Mt 7,6.12-14) - At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: «Do not give holy things to dogs and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them with their paws and then turn to tear you to pieces. Whatever you want men to do to you, you also do to them: for this is the Law and the Prophets. Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter therein. How narrow is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and few are those who find it!

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

"Do not give holy things to dogs and do not throw your pearls before swine." The image is connected to the ancient cult which involved offering the flesh of the victims and the fruits of the earth to God, as prescribed in Leviticus (22.1-14). Meat should not be given to dogs who trample it, nor should pearls be thrown to pigs because they reject them. This phrase is not about people who would not be fit to receive the gospel. Rather, Jesus invites us not to treat the Gospel lightly, but to hold it in high regard for our own life and that of others. We must not waste the words of the Gospel nor should we throw those of preaching to the wind. The Gospel is a very precious treasure that must be treasured and must not be thrown away. This is what happens to the preacher when he does not guard the Word of God with honor and this is what happens to those who listen, every time he lets the preaching slip away, because he is withdrawn into himself and no longer listens to anyone. The evangelist then reports another saying of Jesus: "Whatever you want men to do to you, you also do to them". It is the way to apply all the Law and the Prophets. This rule is called the "golden rule", and is present in almost all the great world religions. It captures that wisdom that comes from Above and that has been placed in the heart of every man. Matthew formulates it in an affirmative way to underline that it is not enough to abstain from evil, it is necessary to do good. The Gospel is the narrow door that leads to salvation. We could say "narrow" because it is a small book, similar to a small door. But it is the door that opens to the kingdom of God. However, the door of selfishness, pride, hatred, violence is wide: they all lead to "perdition", says Jesus. Let us entrust ourselves to the Gospel and we will be guided by its light towards the kingdom of God.