Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Rise up, you ancient portals. (Psalm 24:7)
The psalmist’s imagery is simple: gate, an opening in a wall or a fence, for going in or out. Portal, a door. Lintel, the crosspiece above the door that carries the weight above the doorway. It is to all of these that the psalmist cries, “Open! Let the King of Glory come in!” Lift up the lintel. Make the doorway wider and taller. Reach up, higher, bigger. Make way for the Lord!
Who is this King of Glory? Every book of the Bible, every saint in history will tell you that he is powerful yet gentle, righteous and merciful, faithful and compassionate. This is the God who wants to come into your heart. This is the God who wants to work wonders in your life.
So open the door of your heart to the Lord! Make the doorway as wide and tall as you can. Be honest with yourself and the Lord about what’s in your heart. Don’t be afraid to look at it. God is stronger than anything that might be holding you back, keeping the doors closed. He loves you, and he will fight for you!
Opening the gate to your heart can be scary, especially if it’s been closed a long time. So many things can be hidden in there: guilty secrets and shameful acts, wounds that still hurt, fears and memories that embarrass, obscure motivations stuffed so far back that you can scarcely name them. Everyone has them, these obstacles that clutter up the place where the Lord wants to dwell. But you have it in your power to open them up to him and let him clear them out!
Sit somewhere quiet today, and welcome the Lord. If you need to, ask him to excuse the mess. “There’s a lot of stuff lying here between you and me, Lord.” Think about what in your life might shut him out. “Forgive me, for I have sinned. Heal me, for I have been wounded.” Then, ask him to help you to lift the lintel that bears the weight of your past so that you can make more room for him. You have only to sit with him and let him do the work. He is “the Lord, mighty in battle,” and he will fight for you (Psalm 24:8).
“Lord, you are welcome. Come in today with all your power and strength and victory.”
2 Samuel 6:12-15, 17-19; Mark 3:31-35
Daily Marriage Tip for January 28, 2014:
Do your kids drain you of so much energy that you just want to stay home and veg out on a Saturday night? Consider sharing kids! Offer to take another couple’s child(ren) one night to give them a break. Then trade the favor the next week. Or if you don’t have kids, give your friends […]
A poster that uses the screen name of Dumb Ox explained to me that his screen name was chosen from the book title of the same name. It is a short biography of Aquinas by G. K. Chesterton and should be read by anyone wanting a short detailed introduction to the importance of this man in the history of Christendom.
The reconciliation of science and greek thought (logic) to religious belief is first done in a systematic manner by this great soul. The importance of this is still in need of constant introduction to our youth.