How God Opens the Door of Faith: Family Reflection Video

As I prayed with today’s readings, I was drawn to the last part of the first reading, the part where it says, “And when they arrived, they called the Church together and reported what God had done with them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.”

This got me thinking about how the “door of faith” has been opened in each of our lives. So let me ask you, “can you recall in your life, who worked with God to open the door of faith…not just with our baptism but at each pivotal moment in your lives…?

I think most of us have locked ourselves out of our homes, cars, offices, hotel rooms, for we priests’ even our sacristies. Or perhaps, on a figurative level, you feel a door to a school, job, or another goal is closed to you…and then someone comes along with a key or idea or relationship that opens that door to the possibility of new life. Can you remember how good that feels….?

This is what Paul and Barnabas and the other Apostles were doing in the Name of Jesus; they were opening doors to a new life in Christ for the Jewish and Gentile people. Doors that couldn't be opened for many reasons without the help of these men of God. But in case we're tempted to think that it's much harder now than then, we hear how Paul was stoned to near death by people who felt threatened and those who were closed-minded, and I think afraid.

My brothers and sisters, Jesus knows how we struggle internally, within families, and communities with our faith. He knows our struggles can lead from fear to a flight or fight response, and so His words: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you" is so important for us to take into our hearts and minds. For fear can be one of the greatest impediments to our asking God to help us open doors within our hearts to Him. Doors we might have triple-locked from our past or even just this week, that need to be opened to let God in; I think we all have or have had these locked doors. But, when we allow God to unlock them when we experience the healing and peace of Jesus without holding back, …that's when we can become like Paul and Barnabas for others, including within our families. That's when we have the exhilarating experience of the door of faith being opened and new life in Christ that we want others to share in too.

So as we continue this day, how about taking some time in prayer to reflect on the times these doors have been opened, what still might be locked, and how God could be leading us to be like Paul and Barnabas opening doors for those in our homes and beyond. With the grace of God, the peace of Jesus, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, there is no telling how many doors of faith can be opened today!

May God bless you and your families this holy day!

• Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)

• To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EDT, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)