Very Rev. Jamin S. David, J.C.L., V.G. | Diocese of Baton Rouge

In this season of Lent, we are reminded of the importance of repentance and belief in the Gospel. It is a time for self-reflection and spiritual growth. The journey we take during Lent is likened to Jesus visiting our house, our inner selves. The question is, how welcoming will we be?

For some, the knocking of Jesus goes unnoticed. They have become callous to spiritual things and are unable to hear the sound. However, even the smallest concern or awareness is God breaking through and inviting us to seek Him out in prayer. It is an opportunity to open the door to His mercy and love.

Others hear the knock but choose not to answer the door. They turn off the lights and close the drapes, indicating that they do not want to change their sinful or self-centered lives. But Jesus does not give up easily. He continues to knock, pricking our consciences and urging us to let go of our superficiality and embrace a life of righteousness.

Most of us are expecting Jesus and prepare our hearts to welcome Him. Yet, there may be a closed door in our lives, a room that remains unclean and unreformed. It is where we keep our favorite sin or deep wounds that fuel our shame, anger, and unforgiveness. This room represents our insecurities, vanity, self-centered pleasures, arrogance, and judgmental nature. It is the place of our shame and fear, where we keep hidden from the healing and forgiving light of Christ's love.

But we must remember that Jesus can pass through locked doors. He is already present, waiting for us to trust Him. This Lent, we are called to repent and believe in the Gospel. We are encouraged to open the doors of that closed room and allow the light of Christ's forgiving love to dispel the darkness in our lives.

To deepen our conversion to Christ, we are encouraged to choose a Lenten practice that aligns with our need for transformation. If we carry the burden of serious sin, we should seek out the confessional and receive the forgiveness that Christ offers. Regular confession and a commitment to fighting temptation are essential.

For those who have strayed from the Church, it is an invitation to come back home and rediscover the joy of active participation in a parish community. Receiving the body and blood of Christ once again can bring immense spiritual nourishment.

If pride is the locked room in our lives, we are called to seek humility. Engaging in acts of service to the poor or someone in need can help us let go of our arrogant judgment of others. By understanding their sufferings and struggles, we can replace judgment with compassion and love.

Let us not be afraid to open the doors of our hearts to Christ this Lent. Through prayer, we invite Jesus into our deepest selves and ask Him to shine the light of His love and mercy into the places of darkness that we keep closed and hidden. It is a time to reform our lives, hear the Good News, and allow the light to enter.