This is the first in an ongoing series of spiritual reflections — “Porta Fidei” Series: Be A Door Of Faith For Others — by Paola Trevino.
For those who do not know me, I’m pretty small, (5’2” in case you were wondering). At times I feel even smaller, especially when I am faced with big challenges, like the one of Blessed John Paul II back in 1995 in Denver: “Go out to the roof tops and preach the Gospel,” or the one of Benedict XVI: “Don’t be afraid to be a saint.”
Recently a friend of mine sent me this clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6LGJ7evrAg) from the Lord of the rings; it was a “slap in my face.” I need to be like that little hobbit, Pippen, who was given the huge task by Gandalf, to light Gondor’s beacon. The light of the beacon was a call for help for Middle Earth to unite in combat against the evil forces.
We have to be like that hobbit who conquered his fear of heights in order to light the beacon that was the hope to save middle earth. We also have to light our inner “beacon” of faith, to go out and preach the Gospel.
This year of the New Evangelization we need to be active beacons of faith for many, we need to be a “Porta Fidei,” a door of faith for those who seek to enter. I will try to help weekly, by offering some concrete ways to help you be that door.
Let’s start by lighting our smile! Nothing’s nicer that a big smile!
In last week’s catechesis, Benedict XVI told us about the nature of faith. Some words stood out to me: “Faith is a LIVING ENCOUNTER with him. Through faith we come TO KNOW AND LOVE God…Faith offers us sure HOPE and DIRECTION …faith is a DIVINE GIFT which enables us to OPEN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS to God’s .When we welcome God’s invitation and gift, our lives, and the world around us, are transformed.”
Action: Invite others “to hear and welcome God’s word” into their minds and hearts.
Video: http://youtu.be/fGaC_YTyNAc 
