Greetings. I hope your weekend was peaceful. Today we remember the dedication of the Pope’s church.
We may think that Sts. Peter and Paul is the “home” church for the Holy Father. But there is one Roman Church that was built long before Sts. Peter and Paul. Ever though this church sits outside of Vatican City, this building is the first major church built and became the home church of the Holy Father.
One commentator puts it like this,” Unlike the commemorations of other Roman churches, this anniversary is a feast. The dedication of a church is a feast for all its parishioners. In a sense, St. John Lateran is the parish church of all Catholics, because it is the pope’s cathedral. This church is the spiritual home of the people who are the Church.”
This building we call a “CHURCH” is nothing more than an ornately panted building with statues of long dead people. We might liken it to a museum. Is it nothing more than that? YES and much more. For when the community gathers to give praise and honor to God, when the Word is read and the faithful are feed with the Bread of Life, this building become a living, breathing thing that gives nourishment and enables the faithful to go forth to live out the Word that have heard, strengthen by the Bread of Life,,
St. Augustine tells us that “The church is not a hotel for saints, it is a hospital for sinners.” Just think of the times we have gone into this building weighted down by the weight of the world, and to come out feeling that this weight has been lifted off our shoulders. We can understand why Augustine would call this place a hospital.
Let us remember that each church is but an extension of St. John. We are just one part of the larger community of the community of the faithful which gathers to give praise and honor to God. This building which we call a “church” is only that, a building of stone and mortar. But is miraculously transformed when we the faithful gather together to give glory and honor to our God.
May His Name be praised now and forever. AMEN.
May His Name be praised now and forever. AMEN.
Peace and All Good,
Fr. Vinnie, osf and the
Bros and Srs of the
Franciscan House of Prayer.