There is a trail in Minnesota that extends for 18 miles from St. Paul to Stillwater called the Gateway Trail. It is called the Gateway Trail because it allows many modes of travel and opens a way from the city to the country and back again. It is a gateway because it connects with other paths, parks and nature. Gateways do that. They are entryways that connect people to other paths and opportunities. The whole path is a gate.
I experienced another gateway when I recently traveled to St. Louis and visited the Cathedral Basilica near the Gateway Arch. St. Louis is known as the gateway city to the west because it was the entryway that settlers passed through to begin a new life in the untamed prairies and hills. St. Louis was also a gateway to the north because much of our early history in Minnesota is tied to St. Louis, including our local Church. Before we were a state or a diocese, we were considered part of St. Louis. The Mississippi River became our gateway for supplies, people and missionaries to move north. The river became our gateway to the world. The river itself is known as a gateway river because it gathers many waters and links many places and people.
As we mark the 175th anniversary of our Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, it is good to remember the people, places and events that provided gateways to faith in our region. We remember the early missionaries who came up the river to open the ways of faith here. We remember the early communities of religious sisters who came up the river to establish schools, hospitals and homes for the settlers, for children, for natives of the land and immigrants. We also remember the people who have served as gateways to faith in our lives. These are the ones who welcomed us, connected us and opened a way for God to reach us.
One image of the Church we read about during the Easter season is that of the New Jerusalem described in the 21st chapter of the Book of Revelation. The Church is like a city founded on the faith of the Apostles with 12 gateways facing out in every direction. An angel at each gate welcomes those who enter. These pearly gates recall the hope for the 12 tribes of Israel to come home from different paths and directions. In the New Jerusalem, the Church is to be like those gateways that lead others to Christ. Just like the first apostles and disciples who stretched themselves to follow the Holy Spirit’s call to make a way for Gentiles to enter, so we still need believers facing in every direction and working in every sphere of life, language and locale to be living gateways. We are like those angels at the gate, ready to offer good news, a word of welcome and ways to connect with those who are drawn to Christ by the Spirit moving in their lives.
People come to faith from so many different paths that lead to Jesus. The Holy Spirit is always moving all over the world. We should not hinder or become an obstacle to the work of the Holy Spirit in our time moving people to new life. We can live with curiosity and be ready to give the reason for our hope when someone comes to our door. We can be one of the many gateways to communion with God and his Church.
Easter is a season for renewing faith. Jesus promised that he and the Father “will come and make our dwelling with him” (Jn 14:23). The Spirit of God dwells within us and will continue to teach us and open our hearts to his way.
Let us embrace our call to be living stones … living gateways of faith ready to give the reason for our hope to those who knock at our doors.
Deacon Friesen is director of the Center for Mission, which supports missionary outreach of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He can be reached at friesnm@archspm.org.
