To Boldly Go

In case you haven’t noticed, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Star Trek franchise: Innumerable television episodes over the decades, several movies featuring the original TV cast, three more movies in recent years with a new cast, and the latest movie in
cinemas now.
 
All the tales revolve around the central, now-famous theme: “to boldly go where no man has gone before.”
 
Why bring all this up? Because the Jubilee Year of Mercy is our opportunity to boldly go forth to “rediscover the deepness of the mercy of the Father,” as Pope Francis
put it.
 
When Francis pushed open the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica to launch the Jubilee Year on December 8, 2015, he followed a rite of pilgrimage dating back centuries. An estimated 10 million faithful are expected to follow his lead and pass through the door during this Year of Mercy.
 
Most heartening, perhaps, is that God welcomes all who pass through the door. He “goes out to meet everyone personally,” Francis said, reminding us of the parable of the father who saw his prodigal son from far off, ran out to meet him, and showered the young man with mercy even before being asked.
 
Our prayer today:
 

 
Peter W. Yaremko, a former journalist, is the owner of Executive Media, Inc. and is a specialist in executive communications. He attends St. Peter the Apostle Church in Provincetown, Massachusetts and blogs at peterwyaremko.com/paradise_diaries.