The Holy Doors

 October 21: The Holy Doors, Feeling Blessed

 John 10:9, Jesus is quoted as saying, "I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved."

 Luke 11:9, "And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." 

READER BEWARE, AGAIN, THIS IS A VERY SPIRITUAL REFLECTION, STORY, AND POST

Every morning Eric and I breathe together, which turns into meditation, and ends with a daily reading from a prayer book we each have. This morning was no different, however I was up early and sat in silence. AHHHHH the dreaded silence is usually when the devil sneaks in and delivers fear- but not today. I felt a pull to reflect on my sins. Naturally I'm a walking saint so my list of sins was not long, Ha! Kidding. Seriously, This reflection got me thinking about our trip to Rome 6 years ago. 

The photo at the beginning of this blog was taken on December 24, 2015 at St Peter's Basilica in Rome. It is a picture of the Holy Doors…..open. The Holy doors I walked through........... Now bare with me here...

Going to Rome and attending Christmas Eve mass at St Peter’s was a bucket list item- a dream. In 2015, a number of things fell into place and in non-typical Eric fashion, we made a very impromptu decision to go to Europe and visit our friends for Christmas! We had just a couple weeks to plan our two week vacation!  Dana and I spent hours at a time, with a 6 hour time difference, planning everything. Her famous line was “we can do anything!” So, a trip to Rome for Christmas was on top of the list. The Paris attacks had just occurred and many were trying to deter us from going, deeming it unsafe. But we ignored their pleas. 

With all the research of all the things we could do, wanted to do, and pre planned to do, we somehow overlooked the fact that just ten days before we flew across the Atlantic, Pope Francess had opened the Holy Doors, something that does not happen often.

 The “entrance portal” to St Peters is only open on a year that the pope deems a Holy Year. “A period in which the Roman Catholic Church offers remission from the consequences of sin. This forgiveness is given under certain conditions and Holy years are usually declared approximately every 25 years.”

 In 2015, Pope Francis declared, "The Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instills hope.

I began to wonder, how in the world can I deny his plan for me, when he placed me at the Vatican five years before my diagnosis and had me walk through these holy doors by total “coincidence”.  I get it, I am a realistic person, I know every person that walks through those doors will not then be faced with hardship, disease, or despair. I do, however, believe the opposite, those who walk through are saved, forgiven and provided hope. Perhaps, I was called there when the gates were open so that I would know for certain at a time of hardship that I have been given the blessing of mercy and hope.

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Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

I believe, again, that there is a purpose for me greater than I can ever imagine. I believe in Jesus Christ and that I will be helaed through the grace and MERCY that has been bestoyed upon me. I ask everyone who follows this Blog and who is a prayer to pray the following with me daily so I can continue to overcome anxiety and let my faith bring me peace.

"Dear Jesus, you are the divine physician and healer; I turn to you in this time of unending troubling thoughts and worries. Comforter of the troubled, calm my (Kates) heart and take away every worrisome thought. I invite you to replace every worry and anxiety with your peace that transcends all understanding.Grant me (Kate) the strength to accept and effectively handle every trial that is from you. All these, I ask in Jesus’ name."