Book offers answers to God's knocking on the door to our hearts

"Open Wide the Door to Christ" by S.C. Biela begins with a powerful and meaningful introduction by Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington. He reminds us that the title of the book is made up of the words of Blessed Pope John Paul II: "Be not afraid. God’s inviting light at first barely perceived by the soul, but later, the Light’s becoming increases and begins to probe deeper and deeper into the darkness of the human soul, bringing us closer to God."

Ultimately we crave the Light of Christ’s will, Cardinal McCarrick writes. "In this book, the author gives us food for the journey with the themes of humility, pride and spiritual poverty… At first the Light is barely perceived by the soul, later the Light’s becoming increasing and begins to probe deeper into the darkness of a light of the human soul."

God is continuously knocking on the doors of our souls, Biela writes, adding, "The person who succumbs to his own thoughts and actions actually rejects the unique lordship of God. He ceases to remain poor in spirit. Instead he becomes rich in himself. Because of this, Jesus gives a very fearsome judgment: ‘But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation’" (Luke 6:24).

Biela urges us to follow the words of St. John of the Cross: "Only the person who remains in truth about his human nothingness can receive God’s Divine Everything." The poverty of a soul that is stripped of itself, the famous ‘nada’ (nothing) of St. John of the Cross, calls upon the riches of God, or that which St. John refers to as ‘todo’ (everything).

In addition to St. John of the Cross, Biela draws from the writings of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who teaches us "to recognize our nothingness from God as a little child (awaits) everything from its father." Once received, the author insists, God continues to knock on the doors of our hearts to remind us we must have faith despite what happens. St. Paul asks, "What do you possess that you have not received?"

With God’s constant knocking, why do we boast of our abilities, achievements and talents instead of thanking God for the gifts? Rather, God deserves to be with you, and to walk with you, and the time will come when Jesus won’t have to knock constantly to get our attention.

The cover of the book has a photograph of Blessed Pope John Paul II opening the door after the Holy Year. He is carefully holding the door in his infirmity. This image is reflected in the words of His Holiness Benedict the XVI in his inaugural Mass of His Pontificate on April 24, 2005, "And so, today with great strength and even greater conviction, on the basis of long personal experience of life, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundred in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you will find the true life."