The Door Will Be Opened

Scripture: Luke 11: 9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.“

Reaction: I’m currently attending a seven week Lenten series that follows the book Open the Door: A Journey to the True Self by Joyce Rupp. While I’m only in the second week, the experience thus far has been truly uplifting. The theme of today’s meditation was to imagine yourself knocking on a door that will be opened to you by the Lord. The door will lead you to your heart’s desire, whatever that may be. In the book Rupp offers a unique perspective on what we might ask for in our conversations with the Lord. She suggests that the ‘seeking’ Jesus speaks of might be those traits, graces, and attitudes that will enhance our relationship with God and bring us closer to Him. In other words, perhaps we should be seeking internal riches rather than external ones.

So in meditating on today’s scripture, I kept these thoughts in mind, and envisioned myself knocking on the door that would unlock the inner strengths that will help me to know, love and serve the Lord. The door I rapped on was one of many wooden doors in a house with many rooms. When the Holy Spirit opened the door, I entered into a beautiful sunroom, with lush plants hanging from the rafters, inviting, overstuffed armchairs, and a flood of sunshine beaming in through the lacy curtains. The room was very warm, but it didn’t make me uncomfortable; the heat penetrated right to my heart and filled it with strength and wisdom and love. It also imparted a sense of increased awareness to the world around me.

Awareness has been a recurring theme in my meditations due to its strong emphasis in Ignatian spirituality. But today the concept of awareness was put into the context of how I can apply it in my everyday life. I feel that if I’m more attentive to the unspoken needs of others, if I pick up on the little vibes they’re sending and react with love and generosity, I can better carry out God’s plan for me. I started to remember recent events where I was more attuned to others, and went out of my way to respond, perhaps with a small favor or with a sympathetic ear or simply with a prayer. I feel that the door to a deeper consciousness is being opened to me, and with it comes the grace to act on what I perceive. And when I find myself slipping back into the darkness of selfishness and indifference, I know that all I need to do is knock on that sunroom door and the Spirit’s gifts of awareness and discernment will shine on me once more.

Take Up Your Cross

Scripture: Luke 9:23-24

Then Jesus said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.”

Reaction: This reading is from a Daily Lenten Reflection booklet from C.S. Lewis. In today’s meditation, I pictured myself following Jesus through the narrow streets of Jerusalem as He carried His cross on the way to Calvary. Sometimes I would carry my own cross, or pick up part of His cross, or we would carry His cross together as a team. The message was that we are indeed a team, that He is always with me when I need Him, and that He wants me to always be close to Him, following in His ways.

I also felt that He was directing me to look at the world and my life in a new way: to daily find ways to die to self, serve others, and take of His ways of humility, gentleness, and peacemaking. Several people and situations came to mind as I reflected on these goals, and I now I’m beginning to look at some troublesome people and situations as opportunities to bring Christ to others by acting in their behalf.