ON Tuesday December 8, our Jubilee Year of Mercy commences.
As we turn our spiritual attention towards that, we become aware that we are being invited on a journey.
In fact, the word pilgrimage describes it better. A time of pilgrimage involves the putting aside of those things that weigh us down as we focus our hearts and minds on the spiritual task of walking in, with and towards God.
As a symbol of this pilgrimage you will be invited to make your own way to the Door of Mercy to be found at St Patrick’s cathedral.
From a contemporary perspective it seems such an unusual thing to do. Why go on a pilgrimage? Why go through a Holy Door? Why seek forgiveness and healing?
Think of it this way: you’re no angel. By this we mean that, as a human being, the physical is important in your relationship with God as is the spiritual. In fact, the spiritual is only real for us if it has a physical dimension.
This is symbolised in this Year of Mercy by the Holy Door. Taking the time and making the effort to get there, and allowing the symbolism of what we are doing to impact on us, allows God in. Now perhaps the readings from Isaiah 35:8-10 make sense.
And a highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;
the unclean shall not pass over it.
It shall belong to those who walk on the way;
even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.1
No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away
And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;
the unclean shall not pass over it.
It shall belong to those who walk on the way;
even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.1
No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,but the redeemed shall walk there.And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Pope Francis says “with our eyes fixed on Jesus and his merciful gaze, we experience the love of the Most Holy Trinity. The mission of Jesus received from the Father was that of revealing the mystery of divine love in its fullness. Mercy will always be greater than any sin, and no one can place limits on the love of God who is ever ready to forgive”.