(conversation with Kent regarding Marilyn an address to church folk)
He said she was eloquent
in her speech.
He said she spoke
of would-be gatekeepers,
the ones who keep out
rather than the ones
who admit entry.
He said she reminded
her listeners of all
those good and faith-filled
followers of Jesus
and those pious law keepers
of the religious institution
who intended to send away
and bar entry for
bothersome children
adulterous women and
those of ill-repute
homeless schizophrenics
hungry masses
poor and dirty
spirited madmen shouting recognition
persistent blind beggars and
those others outside the fold
looking for scraps under the table.
Each time the gate-keepers
would attempt to deny entry
there was Jesus, she said,
opening the door.
Let them come
I do not condemn
Let’s feed them all
For such is the kingdom.
 |
| castle in Dublin |
Is that what he meant
when he said he was
the gate, the door
and all who came
to knock
would find entry?
Is that what old St Benedict
understood when he instructed
the monastery doorkeeper
to tend the door with anticipation
to open the door
and receive all as Christ?
And Mother Teresa,
she knew that opening
the door
to create room for all
who others left outside
untouched and unloved
was to welcome in Jesus
for they all were Christ
to her.
He said she was reminding
those with ears to hear
that if we dare to be
gatekeepers of the God’s home
we might best serve as
ones who open the gate
to be like Jesus, the open door.
Come home, come home,
the door is open wide.
Come home, come home,
and live with me, inside.*
* “Come Home” (The Father’s Invitation)
Lyrics and melody by Miriam Kline Overholt
