Doors and Mirrors

A Lenten/Easter Reflection

There is a saying that when one door closes another opens. Throughout our lives we experience many doors opening and closing. When we were born, the door of life was opened to us. Every time we adventure into a new area of our life, we are opening doors. Sometimes we need to close a door in order to open another. Some doors are just closed but never locked, to be open again at a later time. Other doors once closed, need to remain locked and never opened again.

I’ve always been fascinated by doors opening and closing. Think of all the doors we encounter in one day. There are the doors to our homes that open and close to many or few. We have doors of our cars that open and close and help shelter young and old travelers. Some doors have to be pushed open, others pulled. Then there are elevator doors that open and shut with the push of a button and automatic doors that magically open when we are near them. The most fun door for me to watch and be inside is the revolving door – one could remain in it for hours just walking in a circle. There are all kinds of doors: panel, solid, hollow, storm, metal, interior, exterior, sliding glass. There are doors that hide things like cupboard doors and closet doors and doors that enclose our cars within the garage.

As with any uncertainties in life, opening doors can mean taking a risk. We can allow the door to remain shut or we can take the chance and open a door to see what is behind it. During this Lenten and Easter season I have thought of some special doors that enclose mirrors; different mirrors. They reflect not whom we see (ourselves) but who see us. Imagine if we were given the opportunity to open such doors with such mirrors; who and what would we see and how would we feel. As with regular doors, opening such doors can be risky especially if we are uncertain if we want to see what the mirror reflects.

To me, the most frightening door to open holds the mirror that reflects the faces of all those we have hurt through words, deeds or thoughts. We see the faces of those we have belittled, condemned or judged. Would we recognize ourselves in their painful eyes? Would this cause us to remember Jesus’ words and teachings about loving each other?

A more pleasing door to open is the one in which the mirror reflects the faces of all those we have touched with kind words, actions or prayers. We see the faces of those we love and cherish in our lives. Would we recognize ourselves in their joyful eyes? Would this encourage us to continue to give witness to Jesus’ words and teachings of loving each other?

Then there is the door the holds behind it the greatest reflection of all, for behind is the mirror of Jesus upon the cross and all our sins of inhumanness pouring from His wounds. It is a reflection of forgiveness, love and hope. Would we recognize such forgiveness, love and hope within us for others and for ourselves? Or is this concept so difficult to grasp that we walk away unable to live as Jesus teaches us to live?

Are we willing to take the chance and open these special doors and truly see ourselves; reflections of our goodness as well as our darkness? We have the choice to open and close these special doors. It may take a tug to open some and we may decide it isn’t worth the effort. But if we fail to take the chance and see our true selves then we may never get a chance to see ourselves in God’s eyes, the reflection of our loving Creator.

The past forty days we walked our own desert journey.

We read scriptures,

listened to readings and reflections,

pondered the meaning of

His thoughts,

His words,

His promises.

Holy Thursday reveals the Man as servant/teacher

sharing His body and blood as a sign of the New Covenant.

Good Friday depicts the Man abandoned;

calling out to the Father, Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?

Holy Saturday confirms the Man’s human mortality

lying dead within a cave.

Easter Sunday reveals God who became Jesus

reflecting the immortality of

Forgiveness

Love

Hope

Have a very Blessed and Holy Easter Season!

by Susan Handle Terbay

4/09/06

Click on titles for additional information

Susan Handle Terbay is co-author of Gifts: Two Hospice Professionals
Reveal Messages From Those Passing On. She is the mother of six and also a grandmother. Susan serves as administrative assistant to the deputy superintendent of the Catholic Schools Office for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Amazing Grace for Mothers features a story by Susan about the death of her own mother. She shares, "There is a sisterhood among women who lose their mothers as a child. It is a pivotal moment that leaves a hole in your heart that never gets filled; an emptiness and longing. The title of my story is In Search of my Mother. All my life I have searched for her in other women. That moment in my life changed me forever and has created the path I now journey. Through my work with children's grief groups I was able to reach out and understand their pain and tried to give them hope to continue their paths."

October Book Club
A Mother's Rule of Life: How to Bring Order to Your Home and Peace to Your Soul
by Holly Pierlot
Read More about this Book Club Selection

Vilya Design Studios - Creators of art that you can wear. We hand make a variety of jewelry, such wire sculpted pendants, gemstone watches, necklaces, bracelets, rosaries. Our artisans also create beautiful crocheted doll dresses and custom order christening gowns. (Features the creative artistry of Susan's daughters Jennifer and Jocelyn - I love their work, and know you will too! Lisa)

Susan shares the following about her writing:

As a baby-boomer, my life's journey has taken me on many wonderful and challenging paths. Of all the roles that I have taken on - the most profound and the most holy is that of a mother. My six children, ages 20 - 31 are my greatest gifts. They have given me the many joys and many sorrows. Their presence in my life continues to renew and teach me. Now my grandchildren teach me what I failed to learn with my children and the joy of their beings fills my spirit. I love to write and I have to write. As with other choices in my life it is who I am and I hope it is who God wants me to be.