The Door Project

Dear Friends,

Some years ago, the friar guardian of each house where friars were residing was asked to submit a photo of their front door. Actually, the photo was to show the door that would be most recognizable to visiting friars, which sometimes was not the front door. In any case, a poster was created featuring all those photos, and the project we all then embarked on was cleverly entitled “The DOOR Project” because it was all about the Deepening Of Our Relationships. The project was most successful through the use of those images - and the acronym, which I will never forget!

I recalled the project this week as I imagined the locked door mentioned in our Gospel for Divine Mercy Sunday. The door becomes the sign of resistance and fear - it’s locked. But the door also shows the faithfulness of God in Christ, who continues to show up for those who have backed away in fear. I think too of the doorway mentioned in conjunction with Passover which we heard about on Holy Thursday. That doorway was to be marked by the blood of the lamb, as a sign to God’s angel of those to be set free.  

As disciples of Jesus Christ, our scriptures invite us to reflect on the value our tradition gives to the important passageways or portals which we pass through each day of our lives. Specifically, at each doorway our coming and going can and often does have an impact on the quality of our relationships - with friends, family members, even strangers, or the earth (don’t forget to wipe your feet!). As we begin this Easter season, we might ask ourselves how we can better allow Jesus to touch the fears, doubts and questions of our lives with the power of his resurrection. He might well be showing up at our door!

Gratefully,

Fr. Dan ofm, Pastor