I
have always liked superheros, who hasn't dreamed of having some kind
of super power and taking out “bad guys”? In the summer, it was
not uncommon for my sister, the 3 neighborhood girls and myself to
play superheros. We had our swimsuits on so we felt like we were
halfway there. I liked Marvel's Firestar
and I cleverly
named myself Starfire way before Teen Titans was even thought about and way before they created a hero by that name.
Like
all superheros, we did have headquarters which was based at my house
since it was located halfway between the other two neighborhood
girls' houses. We named our home base...Hero Headquarters! At Hero
Headquarters we would dream up “bad people” to encounter and
fight. Then with a battle cry we would set our plan into action.
My apologies to my neighbors' trees as they usually portrayed the
“bad people” that we were bringing to justice. It is what we
superheros are called to do after all bring the “bad people” to
justice...to the Hall of Justice.
I
was thrilled to encounter the Hall of Justice recently in my visit to
Six Flags in St. Louis.
It
is a thrilling ride where you wear 3D glasses and fire “laser”
guns at villains while you ride in a car that spins and bucks on its
track.
My
friend and I had to wait for the thunderstorm to pass over Six Flags
and we ended up waiting out the storm in the Hall of Justice. All
rides were closed for safety reasons even this indoor ride. We
hovered near the doorway of the Hall of Justice to watch the storm
roll by. This wait made me think of another doorway...that of Mercy.
I
am Catholic and Holy Doors mean something to me. For those of you that have
continued to read I will explain. Pope Francis has declared it to be
the Year of Mercy and an extraordinary year of Jubilee. What
this has meant to me personally is that I have been able to encounter
some Holy Doors on my travels. My favorite one being the one Holy
Door that I witnessed being opened on the beginning of the Year ofMercy. Now, I struggle with the idea that God
is merciful. God is Loving, I completely believe, since God is Love.
God is Just, I believe because He knows us so intimately in fact He
knows us better than we do ourselves. But God is Mercy? How can
God, who knows me better than myself forgive me when He knows me for the villain that I
am? I mean I'm not a Supervillain. I haven't tried to take over the
world and I haven't destroyed much property for the sake of fun (since beating up on trees from my
superhero days). But I have said unkind things to the people I love
(that cuts at their spirit), I have rushed passed those that are
seeking help (no time or can't be bothered), and I have not always prayed for the villains in my
life. If I were a superhero I would be showing these villains, who make my life difficult...mercy. But I am a villain myself. I have received mercy that I do not deserve, and to add to the villainy I do not always grant mercy when I have been given the opportunity.
God on the other
hand does show Mercy to everyone. I am reminded of that fact every
time I enter through a Holy Door during this Year of Mercy. I might
have to open the door, but if I enter through that door I will
encounter God's Mercy if I myself am open (like said door) to receive
His Mercy. The other thing that a Holy Door of Mercy and the doorway
to the Hall of Justice have in common...both of them provide shelter
from the storm outside for both heroes and villains.
