Dear Followers of Jesus,

       “Lord, open the door for us.” This sentence from Luke 13:22-30 invites us into deeper relationship with God. Let’s explore what this sentence says to us and how it might be one of our most profound prayers.

        This sentence intrigues me. It is like a song, a one-line poem of longing. It speaks of an experience that has been passed on for us to live. There is a core truth imbedded in these words that rings within our souls. Our life on earth is entrusted to God and without this relationship we are lost and alone.

        The door stands as a divide between God and us. In our prayer, God does all of the initiating. Not only does God open the door for us to be in union with him, but he also opens the door for us to experience possibility, wonder and awe. I beg God to open the door so we may understand that we belong, and in time, all will be revealed to us.

         This sentence invites us to surrender. We are called to rest in the love that God has for us. The door is a reminder of our own obstacles that keep us from such union. Our pride, our ego, and our stubbornness keep us from putting our shoulders on the door of God. We are called to live in God, and through God, and with God. The door that separates us from God is simply our sin, our own false assurance and life’s illusions.

         I long to see what is revealed on the other side of the door, on the other side of my resistance to surrender in prayer. This longing is what keeps us all knocking and asking. For we all understand that beyond the door of our resistance lies God’s eternal love for us.

        Sometimes we stop knocking or asking because we are afraid we may get what we are asking for. Sometimes we have trouble absorbing God’s love and faithfulness toward us because we do not feel worthy or good enough. I pray God’s love may burn away such notions within us.

       This line also invites us to pray for others. God longs to be in communion with us. However, we live in physical pain and emotional need. Our human bodies and relationships need healing. We seek comfort when our pain overwhelms us. When such pain stops us in our tracks, it is time for others to also pray for us. We are called as Christians to ask God to open the door to new life for all who are ill, for all who wait for mercy, for all who face tragedy and loss. We are invited to trust in Divine life for all on earth.

       As we walk in the communion line at Mass today, we pray for such profound union with God. Let us ask God to open up miracles, new life, and hope that lies un-known for us behind human doors.

Blessings,

Fr. Ron