"Pope Francis has commenced the Jubilee Year of Mercy by offering a plenary
indulgence for the remission of the punishment for sins. All those who pass
through the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica will receive the indulgence. This
is the first time the Holy Door has been opened since the Great Jubilee in the
year 2000. The opening of the door is meant to be symbolic of the "extraordinary path" toward salvation. The pope opened the door on December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. In his homily he said, "Not only does God forgive sin, but in Mary he even averts the original sin present in every man and woman who comes into this world." In closing he prayed, "May the Blessed Virgin, the first fruits of the saved, the model of the Church, holy and immaculate Bride, loved by the Lord, help us to rediscover the mercy of God more and more, in a way characteristic of Christians." Read more
[Mike Gendron Comment] If Catholics were abiding in God's Word,
they would be asking the pope, "Why do we have to go through a door instead of
coming to the cross of Christ with empty hands of faith?" Why go through a
wooden door made with human hands when the eternal Christ is the only door by
which sinners must enter to be forgiven (John
10:9). The apostle Paul wrote, "God made
[believers] alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by
canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This
He set aside, nailing it to the cross" (Col.
2:13-14). The eternal sin debt was cancelled when
the perfect High Priest offered Himself, the perfect sacrifice to a perfect God
who demands perfection. Then Jesus cried out, "It is finished!" (John
19:30). There are no more offerings for sin
because by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified
(Heb.
10:14)." Pro-Gospel.org
