Ask, Seek, Knock: The Door Is Open

If you have ever spent time at the Solanus Casey Center, you have probably noticed the words on the glass doors: Ask… Seek… Knock.

I often think about those words when I see people coming through our doors. People come here for many different reasons. Some come carrying a serious illness or concern for someone they love. Some come looking for answers. Others simply need a quiet place to pray. And many come because they have heard something about Blessed Solanus and want to ask for his prayers.

Jesus tells us, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). It is a simple invitation, but it takes faith to live it—especially when we have been praying for something for a long time and nothing seems to change.

For Blessed Solanus Casey, these words were not just a nice Scripture verse. “Ask, Seek, Knock” were the first words he wrote in his novitiate diary. In many ways, they stayed with him throughout his life.

Solanus knew what it meant to ask. People came to him with all kinds of needs. He listened. He prayed with them. He encouraged them to trust God. He did not pretend to have all the answers, and he did not promise that every prayer would be answered in the way someone hoped. But he kept pointing people back to God.

That is something I find especially meaningful about Solanus. His faith was simple. He trusted that God was listening.

To ask is to bring what is on our hearts to God. We do not need perfect words. We can come as we are. We can ask for healing, for strength, for a job, for a family member, for peace, or simply for the grace to get through another day.

Then there is seeking. Sometimes we come to God wanting one particular answer, but prayer slowly changes what we are looking for. We begin by asking, “Lord, please change this situation,” and eventually we may find ourselves praying, “Lord, show me what you want me to do.”

Solanus encouraged people to keep seeking God through prayer, the sacraments, the Eucharist, and a life of service. He understood that faith is not only about receiving something from God. It is also about growing closer to Him.

And finally, knock.

Knocking means coming back. It means praying again when yesterday’s prayer seemed unanswered. It means trusting even when we do not understand what God is doing.

Solanus knew something about knocking on doors. As a Capuchin friar and porter, he was often the first person people encountered when they came to the friary. They knocked, and he opened the door. He welcomed them, listened to them, and prayed with them.

In a small but beautiful way, that same thing continues here at the Solanus Casey Center.
People still come through the doors. They bring their stories, their worries, their gratitude, and their questions. Sometimes they come with great faith. Sometimes they are not sure what they believe anymore. But they come. And we try to meet them where they are.

That is why your support matters.

Because of your prayers and generosity, this can remain a place where people are welcomed, where they can pray, learn about Blessed Solanus, receive the sacraments, and simply spend some time with God.

We never know who will walk through the doors next. We may not know what they are carrying. But we can make sure the door is open.

Perhaps that is the simplest way to understand the words on our doors:
Ask. Seek. Knock.

Bring your needs to God. Keep looking for Him. And when the answer does not come right away, keep knocking.

The door is open.