November 16, 2004

Jesus is so humble He “stands at the door and knocks” (Revelation 3:20). Jesus
seeks to be in communion with us, and the existence and depth of that communion
is really up to us. It's up to us to open the door. When we hear the doorbell
ring, or if someone knocks on the door of our room or the room we may be
using, our heart jumps! Even if it’s a bit of a bother to us and we’re not too
enthused about opening the door, we’re very aware of someone being present
beckoning for our attention and response.

Jesus knocks on the door of my heart? He does. Jesus wants to be in communion
with me? He does. Do I want to be in communion with Jesus? I hope so. What
might this mean? This Year of the Eucharist is a grace-filled time to help us
determine where we are in our relationship with Jesus – presuming we have one!
Maybe it’s a good time to get that relationship with Jesus started, or to go
deeper. My favorite theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar puts it like this: “The
secret path of the saints is never denied to the one who is really willing to
follow it. But who in the crowd troubles himself over such a path?” Good
question!

I pray for a renewed sense of communion for everyone in the CFR community, for
all the many people who ask us to pray for them, for the many people for whom we
have promised to pray, as well as for the people who might not care or might be too
deep in pain or sin or whatever! As Pope John Paul II said, “The Eucharist is not
merely an expression of communion in the Church’s life; it is also a project of
solidarity for all humanity ” (Mane Nobiscum Domine #27.)

Peace and Blessings for ever in Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Stan Fortuna, CFR

resides at Our Lady of the Angels Friary in the South Bronx - involved in full-time preaching apostolate, especially to the young (www.francescoproductions.com)

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