During this Holy Week retreat, we walked with Jesus and joined him in going through three special doors. Located in the most diverse places, these doors teach us different things about God’s mercy.
Nevertheless, they all share one thing in common: They don’t so much lead in as they lead out. To show us God’s mercy, our Lord Jesus did not so much walk into them as he walked out of them.
He walked out of the Upper Room into the chaos and wretchedness that he chose to embrace.
He carried his cross out of the city gate to bear our iniquities and sinfulness, sparing us from their consequences.
Finally, he entered the gate of hell in order to lead the lost souls out of their banishment from God.
If we want to enter into God’s mercy, we must use the doors in our lives–especially the door of our hearts–as passages to the world that waits outside: to find the lost sheep, to save the scattered coins, and to lead back the lost children of God.
All this is just another way of putting the mission that Jesus gave to his disciples right before he was taken into heaven when he told the disciples:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always,
to the end of times” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Note that the mission comes with a promise, the promise of the Lord’s constant presence. This is why the angels told the men at the Ascension: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?” (Act 1:11).
We need not look up to heaven because if we unpeel our eyes, strain our ears, and open wide the door of our hearts, we will meet Jesus in every corner.
For your closing prayer, watch this short montage of images and listen to “Unexpected Song.” Thank Jesus for this precious gift of His Presence. Pray that we will be granted the grace to recognize him in the most unexpected places.
When you are ready, go to the last page by clicking NEXT.
Image sources: philvaucher.com
“The Passion of the Christ” (2004)
Video editing by John Mactal