A time of reflection

at the start of

the Holy Year of Mercy

In Advent we recall

the Coming of Jesus

into the world in history.

We look ahead to his Coming at

the end of time…as Jesus

foretold during his earthly life.

We recognise that Jesus comes

to us in every moment of every

day and says…

"Behold,

I stand at the door and knock;

if any one hears My voice,

and opens the door,

I will come in to them,

and will sup with them,

and they with Me".Revelation 3: 20

An image of

the Holy Year of Mercy

is the open door –

the Door of Mercy –

open to all …

but our reflection

invites us to begin

by thinking about

a closed door…

It is clear that this door

has not been opened

in a long, long time.

The weeds are thick…

and dead…

But, if we look closely,

we can see that they were,

at one time,

grasses and flowers –

full of life and beauty

But time has passed

and what was alive

is now dead –

and dry –

a tangle of stems

and empty seed heads.

Where have the “flowers”

and living grasses of my life

become dead

and dry

and empty?

What about in my parish

or faith community?

Jesus brings light

to the world.

Jesus is the Word

who gives a light to our path.

How does Jesus

bring light to my life?

But Jesus does not force

his light – or his presence

on anyone

He knocks –

and he waits…

What does the idea of Jesus’ courtesy

mean to me?

That he knocks –

and waits –

for me?

The door itself has no handle…

It can only be opened

from the inside.

What stops me fully opening

the door of my life to Jesus?

What stops people

‘opening their doors’

to the Lord?

In this Holy Year of Mercy,

Pope Francis will open a “Holy

Door” – a Door of MercyAround the world, other “Holy Doors of Mercy” will be opened

to welcome sinners

and all in need of mercy…

The door is open…

Around the world, other “Holy Doors of Mercy” will be opened

How can I prepare

to walk through it

to meet the God of Mercy

who waits for me?

How can I help others

to clear away the weeds

and things that get in their way

so that they can walk through

the Door of Mercy –

to Mercy?

The Light of the World (painting)

The Light of the World (1851–3) is an allegorical painting by William Holman Hunt representing the figure of Jesus preparing to knock on an overgrown and long-unopened door, illustrating Revelation 3:20:"Behold, I stand at the door and knock;if any man hear My voice,and open the door,I will come in to him,and will sup with him,and he with Me".From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia