Doorways

I love doorways. They evoke a sense of mystery. Think of the intrigue of what is behind Door Number 3 in Let’s Make a Deal! It could be anything! What doorways did you walk through each day in your childhood? What door was particularly difficult for you to push open because you were anxious about what was on the other side? Even Jesus identified Himself as a sort of doorway: the true gate through which we would find love and protection and life.

Walking around Old City Salzburg there were countless grand entryways into unknown recesses. The most notable was the door that gives access to the building that boasts being the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Though it cannot be the actual door it’s a holy site nonetheless.

It rained all evening so we saw Salzburg by umbrella. Even the continual drizzle could not hide the tremendous beauty to Mozart’s hometown. Along the windy brick roads that snake through colorful buildings, we stumbled upon statues, fountains, carved pillars, and paintings. The talent of this renowned composer was obviously encouraged by an aesthetic hunger to Salzburg.

The other lasting imprint in this ancient city are the churches. We entered three of them this evening, each uniquely beautiful, each offering peace.

Maria is impressed with the artistic sacrifice that went into these places of worship. In Mozart’s time the Church was the center to folks’ lives so their viewpoint was, of necessity, theological. In reverence to Christ, some artisans carved powerful crucifixes. Others painted images of holy figures. Stained glass artists left their imprint by casting a colorful light on the devotees for generations to come. Musicians composed music that stirred the souls of countless disciples over the ages, guiding beyond the individual notes to God.

In this city, amidst a cultural splendor, surrounded by awe-inspiring churches, through this doorway, everyday, the blessed genius of Mozart was shaped.

Soli Deo Gloria!