29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Thus says the Lord to his anointed … opening doors before him and leaving the gates unbarred. (Isaiah 45:1) “A new door will open for you today.” Have you ever cracked open a fortune cookie and discovered a hidden message like this one? Maybe you smiled, thinking that someone is sitting at a desk somewhere writing fortunes for a living. Then you crumpled the sliver of paper. Well, today’s first reading was an actual message enfolded within the prophet’s words to Cyrus, the king of Persia! The prophet declared that God was the thrust behind Cyrus’ rise to power. He depicted God as unbarring gates and opening doors for Cyrus, then going a step further and grasping the king’s arm to lead him through, door after door. This passage is a fascinating insight into history’s unfolding. But there’s something here for us today as well. If God opened doors for Cyrus, who didn’t even believe in him, do you think he will open them for you? Yes, he will! Every day, God is opening new doors, inviting you to step through and move forward in faith. These doors come in all shapes and sizes. Some are plain to see, like a door of service that’s opened when someone invites you to volunteer in your parish. Or a door of encouragement, when you can uplift someone who really needs it. To see some, though, you have to be on the lookout. Like the next time you’re stuck in traffic, God could be opening a door for you to spend extra time with him in prayer. Some doors are wide open, and some require us to lighten our load in order to squeeze through, like the call to live more simply so that we can give more of our finances to God’s work. Today, try to see every challenge, every conversation, every chance encounter as a divinely appointed door. Then, see Jesus on the other side, waiting for you with open arms. “Lord, take me by the hand today, and lead me through your open doors.” Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 7-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5; Matthew 22:15-21
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 12:27:14 +0000
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