"On the eve of the Jubilee Year, let us focus specifically on the image of the door. Indeed, the Jubilee will be a time of grace in which we will open the Holy Door, allowing all to cross the threshold of Jesus' living sanctuary and experience God's love, which renews hope and joy. Even in the story of Peter and Paul, doors open". This is what Pope Francis said during his homily on the feast of St. Peter and Paul on June 29. The Pope told the story of Peter's release from captivity, which occurred "at night, as it was for the Israelites; the angel gives Peter the same instructions that were given to Israel: get up quickly, put on your belt, and put on sandals. As a result, we are told there will be a new exodus. God frees his Church and his people from chains, revealing himself once more as the God of Mercy who sustains his journey. And on that night of liberation, the prison doors miraculously open; then, Peter and the angel accompanying him are said to stand before 'the iron gate that leads to the city; the door opened of itself in front of them.' They are not the ones who open the door; it opens itself. God is the one who opens the doors, liberates and paves the way". "To Peter," the Gospel told us, "Jesus had given the keys of the kingdom; but he knows that the Lord opens the doors first; He always goes before us.. One intriguing fact is that the doors of the prison were opened by the Lord's strength. However, Peter then encountered difficulty entering the Christian community's residence: "The one who goes to the door, thinks it is a ghost and does not open it - the Pontiff concluded - How many times do communities not learn this wisdom of opening doors!".
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