In the Footsteps of St. Louis Marie de Montfort

"Footsteps Online"

Spring 2000 (Volume 5, Issue 1)

Open the Door...

The image of Pope John Paul pushing open the door of St. Peter's basilica in Rome at the start of the Jubilee Year was. a striking one. On that same evening Cathedral doors all over the world were opened, symbolic of our opening ourselves to Christ and His many blessings and to our mission in the 3rd Millennium. The open door this Jubilee Year is an invitation to each of us, whoever we are, to open our lives to him more fully.

For members of the Montfortian Congregations it struck a particular chord because of an incident in Louis Marie de Montfort's own life… when on presenting himself at a house in Dinan, laden with a sick and bedraggled beggar, he demanded to be let in with the words.,

'Open the door ... open the door to Jesus Christ!'

What significance does this have for us in this Jubilee Year and how as Associates may we daily 'Open the door to Jesus Christ?'

It is, above all, a time for a new start when we may open the door of our hearts to:

  • a new start with God
  • a new start with each other
  • a new start with the poor

The open door - and open heart - is a symbol of openness and hospitality and the assurance of a warm and loving welcome extended to all. In subsequent issues of Footsteps during this Jubilee Year we shall reflect on how this 'Open Door' can be a vital part of our daily life and sacramental life:

  • Baptism is our 'door' of entry into the people of God.
  • Eucharist is our 'door' of entry to the banquet where no one is excluded and where Jesus becomes the servant of all and gives himself unconditionally.
  • Reconciliation is the 'door' to forgiveness and to life.

Jesus himself proclaims that he is the open door to life in John 10;7-9 and verses 14-16.

Each day I must ask myself: How open, welcoming and hospitable am I to those around me; to those I live and work with and those I shall meet in the course of this day?

I am reminded that Jesus did not shut the door on anyone; prostitutes, lepers, publicans, women, the poor and oppressed.... and many, many more. Therefore we can say that in Jesus' life and ministry, love was all-inclusive for no-one was a stranger, an outsider or unimportant. And this was true of Montfort and Marie Louise in their ministries. Is it true of me?

  • Is there anyone I exclude or discriminate against at home, at work?
  • Is there any person or group of people I would prefer not to sit at table with?
  • Have l ever experienced being excluded or not welcomed? How did it feel?

Of course, this closing doors on people happens not just at a personal level, but at national and international levels too. Jesus teaches us that offering hospitality to the stranger is the same as offering it to Jesus himself,

'For I was a stranger and you welcomed me' Matt 25; 35-40

If our hearts as Christians are truly open then we cannot fail to see Jesus in today's refugees and immigrants. The proof of our open hearts is measured not by its exercise when the arrival of strangers is convenient, but precisely when it is inconvenient.

  • In our reading of newspapers or watching TV - who is excluded?
  • What sort of language is subtly used to exclude individuals or groups, people of other countries and cultures?
  • In this Jubilee Year what can we do about it? Will we take the risk of opening the door of our hearts to God, to each other and to the poor?

As Montfortians in the church today we are challenged in a particular way to 'Open the door to Jesus Christ.' Now is the time to do so as we begin our Lenten journey to the new life of Easter.

Mary too teaches us about being open-hearted and reaching out to others as she hurried quickly after the Annunciation to her cousin Elizabeth who needed her:

Mary, woman of God,
pray for us,
that we can be a people
of open hearts,
of welcoming presence.
Help us to be full of hospitality,
welcoming Christ in all
whom we shall meet this day,
so that we too may sing a heartfelt
Magnificat!