We Have Seen His Face: A Meditation on the Nativity
The Doors! The Doors!
Photo By: Flickr/Steve Moses
As Pope Francis opens the Holy Door for the Year of Mercy let us reflect on that symbol and enter into this time of great Grace. The Scripture begins with a closing of a door in Genesis and ends with Jesus standing outside that door and knocking in Revelation. The door symbolizes our free will before God. We can close it on Him, we can even slam it in His Face but He will respect it and not violate the freedom He has given us. Jesus described Himself as the Door, the Gate, the Way to show us how to be before God. He waits for us to open the door of our hearts to Him. Let us attend to our door and not shut it to the transforming power of His Presence and HIs Mercy.
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my Voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me." Rev. 3:20
The Doors! The Doors!
An angel with a flaming sword stood watch before the closing doors,
“You cannot go again within; this Paradise is closed by sin!”
The blood is splashed above the door; an angel passes with a sword;
God’s chosen people praise their Lord! “We’re saved, behind these blood marked doors!”
Before an open door, amazed, an angel speaks, “Hail, Full of Grace!”
God’s Spirit enters Mary’s space; Her womb will fashion God’s own Face!
Elizabeth stands at open door, “O hail, dear Mother of my Lord!
“God’s coming through your singing Heart and my babe’s leaping, like a hart!”
The Inn door closed, “There is no place!” Just lowly ones and beasts have space.
“All glory to our Infant King!” the angels and the shepherds sing!
He walks among His own while here, to find true open hearts that care.
He opens closed doors with His Grace, to bring His Light to our dark place!
Upon a cross He does depart; a sword pierced open His great Heart;
From stone sealed tomb to Life, He Rose, to open wide the doors sin closed!
“The doors! The doors!” we hear them say, the deacons in their fine array.
“Let’s close them, lest the Spirit’s Fire consumes the people and the choir!”
Enclosed, now safe, in Bread and Wine, His Fiery Presence so Divine,
Now comes to open hearts, a Sign, of open doors for humankind!
What do the doors of flesh conceal? What can the human heart reveal?
This Flesh and Heart He’s made His own; His Presence in our lives is known!
What lies behind closed doors, we see, in every land, on every street?
Hearts full of flaming love or hate; lives full of pain or joy so great!
“Now, open up your closed hearts wide; the King of Glory’s coming nigh;”
“No more barred doors!” lift up the cry! “His Presence is our Paradise!”
Bernice Pillart Dumitru , January 2015
"I have placed before you and open door that no one can shut." Rev. 3:8
About the Author
Bernice G. Dumitru lives in Pittsburgh Pa with a houseguest, Sister Mary Krystel from Southeast Nigeria who is studying for her doctorate in theology at Duquesne and her black cat Magellan. Her husband of 32 years having died in May of 2019, she is now in the third phase of her life, having been a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth for 27 years, married for 32 years and now a widow of 2 years. The prophetess Anna is her new friend. She is a retired Lay Ecclesial Minister of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese, has a Masters in Religious Education, a Masters in Christian Spirituality, a Certificate in Pastoral Counseling and Certification as a Chaplain. She has taught elementary school, served as Director of Religious Education, Directed a House of Prayer, given Ignatian Directed Retreats and spiritual direction, served as a hospital chaplain and as psychotherapist. She is now a member of the Legion of Mary. Her mission is to spread, first to her family and then others the good news of God’s love and mercy and to help them wake up to the need of taking refuge in the Heart of Mary in these times of great difficulty in our world. She feels called to make people aware also of the Servant of God Louisa Piccaretta and her writings about God fulfilling the request of the Lord's prayer and bringing His Kingdom in our world. You can find her on Messenger and on Catholic365.
