Hearing the news that Pope Francis has opened the Holy Door in this Jubilee year, I feel grateful and certainly filled with hope for the goodness of God that is always present in people's lives. The question that comes to mind is this: Why the door? Is there something meaningful about this door? What is the meaning of a door being “opened”?
Imagine you're at home and someone knocks on your door. What would you do? Would you yell inside at the person? Would you ask the person to climb over the fence? Of course not. You open the door! You open the door to those who knock, receiving them.
Reflecting on the door, I refer to the book of Revelation, where a message is delivered to the church in Laodicea: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:19-20, NRSV). The message is profound: repent, and you will see the greatness of God. Primarily, there is a door there that must be opened for someone to enter and be accepted. Through the door, we enter into a house, and in that house we feel safe, comfortable, and protected. In line with repentance, Jesus also gave special attention through the parable of the good shepherd: “Anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate but climbs in by some other way is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice... I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:1-3; 7-10, NRSV). With this, let us reflect together on our journey for this year, with the theme “Pilgrimage of Hope.”.
With the theme “Pilgrimage of Hope,” the Christian community is called to embark on a journey of transformation symbolized by the Holy Door in 2025. This sacred text expands the word "sin" to "grace," serving as a guide in the laws and teachings of the Christian faith. Upon realizing their forgiveness through the Holy Door, individuals immerse themselves in a purification ritual, signifying the cessation of sin and their entrance into the sacred realm of God's Presence. This journey is not just a personal journey; it is a communal journey that offers resilience, encourages each person to seek redemption, and strengthens their bond with God and each other. During this Jubilee year, Christian communities celebrate their faith journey, participating in the celebration and reaping the blessings through the sacrament of reconciliation. This Jubilee year serves as a strong reminder that faith is the foundation of Christian life. This verse encourages people to realize that it is not enough to seek personal fulfillment; they must also seek the common goal and purpose of the Church.
On the journey together, Christians are encouraged to live according to the spiritual teachings of the Holy Spirit by cultivating humility, mercy, and unity within their communities. The theme "Pilgrimage of Hope" closely aligns with the transforming spirit of the Paschal Mystery, symbolizing the Christian belief's transformation from death to life. By traversing the Holy Door, believers pledge to embody their hope in the world and embark on this spiritual journey. The year 2025 is therefore a time for Christian communities to experience joy, strengthen their bond with God, and engage in the mission of encouraging and blessing within their own communities.
