I came across this little cafe in Siena a year or so ago.. It’s not very spectacular, and compared with the treasures to be seen in that city very insignificant. .
The name above the door really clicked with me in the same way that some folks do. Much as I loved the great Cathedral of Siena, I posted an article on Siena Cathedral some time ago, It was this little cafe that caught my eye on a more recent visit to Italy.
“meetlifecafe,” and isn’t that our vocation as Disciples of Jesus. Its a great name.
“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”
The Lord has set before us an open door and we have a menu to offer. Incidentally the young lady to the left of the man is the cafe’s owner.
There are several mentions of doors in the Bible..
“I’d rather be a doorkeeper in the House of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” (Psalm 84:10)
“I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:7) (door is mentioned four or five times in John 10.)
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hear my voice and open the door, I will come in unto him and sup with him, and he with me. (Rev 3: 20) That’s the Menu Door.
The last I’ve already mentioned.
“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” (Rev 3:8)
Keeping God’s Word is also a sharing in that Word and feeding it to others. The New International Version of the Bible has a good translation of 1 Peter 3:15 that explains what evangelism is.
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”
When we truly revere Christ Jesus as Lord in our hearts then we are in position to give the reason for the hope that we have. Friendship is the way to bringing people to Christ. It’s why the Early Christians were so successful in making converts. They were filled with the Holy Spirit who opens to the Lord.
The most tremendous thing in the world is for people to find the door – the door to God. Th most important thing any Christian man or woman can do is to take hold of someone’s hand and put it on the latch – the latch that clicks to human touch and opens to his or her touch.
Our vocation as Christians is to stand by the door, call it the door of the meetlifecafe that is the “Fellowship” of the Living God in all its diverse manifestations.
All Along the Watchtower 
Another great post, full of love. And brings to mind the wonderful ‘The Light of the World’ by William Holman-Hunt at St Paul’s. Our Lord is always at the door.
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Thank you for this meditation, Malcolm. It sent me back to Eliot’s @ash Wednesday’ where these concluding words leapt out at me:
‘Suffer us not to mock ourselves with falsehood
Teach us to care and not to care
Teach us to sit still
Even among these rocks
Our peace in His will
And even among these rocks
Sister, mother
And spirit of the river, spirit of the sea,
Suffer me not to be separated
And let my cry come unto Thee.’
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No surprise. Some man named Elliot is who inspires you. I cant wait for you religious folks to tear into good brother Malcom for saying Jesus stands at the door……just like you tear into me when I remind you all of that.
Elliot….the world hears its own. The unsaved understand, or something like that, other unsaved. They philosophize about being Christian with all kinds of flowery words, then die and wake up in hell. What was it all worth.
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I genuinely feel sorry for you. I suppose the one consolation is you don’t know what you are missing.
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‘The Light of the World’ by William Holman-Hunt at St Paul’s. Our Lord is always at the door.
And that’s where you religious people leave him…..standing at the door. That’s why you die and wake up in hell. Hell is where you wait until judgment and then you are thrown into the lake of fire.
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St Columba’s Prayer
Delightful would it be to me to be in Ulster
On the pinacle of a rock,
That I might often see
The face of the ocean;
That I might see its heaving waves
Over the wide ocean,
When they chant music to their Father
Upon the world’s course;
That I might see its level sparkling strand,
It would be no cause of sorrow;
That I might hear the song of the wonderful bar
Source of happiness;
That I might hear the thunder of the crowding
Upon the rocks;
That I might hear the roar by the side of the church
Of the surrounding sea;
That I might see its noble flocks
Over the watery ocean;
That I might see the sea-monsters,
The greatest of all wonders;
That I might see its ebb and flood
In their career;
That my mystical name might be, I say,
Cul ri Erin;
That contrition might come upon my heart
Upon looking at her;
That I might bewail my evils all,
Though it were difficult to compute them;
That I might bless the Lord
Who conserves all
Heaven with its countless bright orders,
Land, strand and flood;
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I like the café name.
In the past we operated a café to meet people where they were at in life and share the Gospel of Christ as opportunity arose. Literature was available and a lending library of inspiring books of Christian lives or apologetics etc.
One of or more outlandish attempts was in operating a night club – that project did not end well but there were a few conversions.
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Nice reflection, Malcolm. I’ve been away for a bit, but it was nice to come back and be refreshed by your writing. I’m currently studying some teachings of St. Francis de Sales that touches a bit on this subject you speak of. He speaks much of holy simplicity and of religious modesty as being sure ways to testify of Christ by the we live our lives.
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Thanks Steven for your comment.
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