Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
I am struck by the image of “the Beautiful Gate” referenced in Acts today. There are so many beautiful doorways to God; so many invitations to have our eyes opened and to recognize that we are in the presence of Christ. The disciples on the way to Emmaus walk with Christ, who opens the beautiful gate of scripture, shining the light of scripture to illuminate all that they had encountered in their journey with Jesus and the disorienting events of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. When they enter the beautiful gate of scripture together, their hearts burn within them. When they press him to stay with them and offer hospitality, they enter the beautiful gate of a shared meal, and their eyes are opened.
As Catholics, we know and experience the power of the seven Sacraments. These sacraments are important gateways in our relationship with God. These Sacraments also point us to the sacramental nature of daily life, what we often call small “s” sacraments. In the first millennium or so of the Church, there were varying numbers of sacraments; Augustine numbered more than a thousand! It was not until the Council of Trent in the 1500s that we officially named the seven sacraments, though by popular understanding, we had moved in that direction.
Today, we understand the power of these seven Sacraments as unique and special gateways to Christ’s presence here and now. We also understand that these seven, point us to the sacramental nature of daily life, the many beautiful gateways to God’s love and presence here and now in material reality. Every time we gather and share our lives and scripture in our homes, on a walk with a friend, this is a beautiful gate, a sacrament of God’s love. Every time we offer hospitality, when we eat a meal sitting together fully present to one another with phones down, this is a beautiful gate.
In Acts today, I am struck by the power of looking someone in the eye. I think of the times when I drive to Mass or work and see someone begging at the exit ramp. When I take the time to look them in the eye or roll down my window and share my name and ask them their name as I hand a granola bar or apple to them. What a beautiful gate it is for each of us to see one another eye to eye, human to human. In this springtime season, when I pause in my rush to the next meeting or task and literally stop to smell the hyacinth, viburnum, or lilacs - what a beautiful gate to God’s love. That is sacramentality. And that prepares us to more fully celebrate the Sacrament of Eucharist with its particular celebration of the Word of God and Bread of Life, Christ present among us!
Today, may we notice the beautiful gates all around us and walk through them with joy!
—Kelly Adamson