Open Door Policy

Readings for Thursday March 17, 2011

First Reading: Ester C:12,14-16,23-25
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138
Gospel: Matthew 7:7-12


Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets." (Lk 7:7-12)

I remember this one fall season when I was in elementary school, me and a friend decided to be entrepreneurs. We decided to have our own leaf raking business. Unfortunately being so young with a fledgling business and no client referrals meant that we needed to do some "cold calling." So we decided to do what many youths do in that situation, we went door to door asking people if we could rake their yards for a modest fee. So here we were, rakes on our hands, determination in our hearts, and money on our mind. When we were going door to door, the majority of the time the response that we got was no. We did however get one customer, and how sweet that was when we finally got a yes. And we made sure that we did a good job on that guys yard. But the whole process of going door to door, being rejected and then finally getting someone to say yes to us was quite an experience that will always stick out in my mind.

Isn't it great that as we read today's gospel, we serve a Lord who has an "open door policy?" God's door is always open to us, knock and come to Him with our needs and He will provide. What an amazing, loving Father that we have. May we always remember that God's door is always open to us, no matter when we knock He is always there ready to take us in and accept us just as we are, for we are His.

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, thank you for always being there for us and for never abandoning us. You are always so faithful to your servants, may we strive all of our life to be faithful to you. We pray for all those you are in need of conversion and who do not know you; may they find true joy and peace in your loving arms. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.