From the Deacon’s Desk: Prayer and Inspirational Thoughts
“Brothers and sisters: you are God’s building!…Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”
This week we celebrate the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome in 324AD by Pope Sylvester I. Why do we celebrate the dedication of a single church from so long ago? This is not just any church – it is the first Christian church built in Rome and the western world after the persecution of Christians. Even more, it is the “Pope’s Cathedral!” While we may think of St. Peters in the Vatican as the primary church for the Pope, the Lateran Basilica is the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome. It is the “mother and head of all churches of Rome and the world.” But it is still just a building. And as St. Paul reminds us in our second reading, “You are God’s building!” We celebrate the Church today – the Church of Jesus Christ which has been built upon the one firm foundation – the foundation of Christ himself.
Each of us, as a part of the Body of Christ, participate in and build up the Church. Guided by the Holy Spirit which dwells within each of us, we build upon the foundation laid by Christ and fortified by the apostles and their successors. Through the sacraments – the lifeblood of our faith and the church – we grow in holiness and build upon the foundation laid for us. As community, we live as children of God – brothers and sisters to Christ Jesus. We are called to support one another, helping each other to grow in holiness through the virtues we foster. We come together offering Him our worship and praise, asking for His pardon and forgiveness, and giving thanks for the many blessings He bestows upon us. Through the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the reception of our Lord in the Eucharist, we partake in the “source and the summit” of our faith, being strengthened and fortified for the journey and the mission we are called to – to spread the Good News to all the nations!
Our gospel reminds us though, to take care not to allow sin and evil to take up residence within our hearts, for we are the “temple of God.” Just as Jesus cleansed the temple of the merchants and money changers, we should take care to be the “living temple” we are called to be – free of sin and focused on spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ through the lives we live. Through prayer, discernment and constant vigilance, we should partake in the sacrament of Penance to cleanse our temple that it may always be a holy temple of God.
As Vincentians, we bring the Church – and the love of God – to each person we encounter in our ministry. We seek to see in them the face of Christ and we strive to make present to them Christ within us. By our witness and our care we work to restore hope where despair has taken up residence. How do I make the presence of God visible to those in need? Do I seek God’s will for all those I care for?
Good and gracious God, let your Spirit come upon me that I may be a living temple of God. Open my heart to your presence, mold me into your image, that I may faithfully serve you, making your love and hope come alive for our neighbors in need and my fellow Vincentians. Help me to celebrate Church – your Church here on earth as we fulfill your mission. I ask all these things through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Deacon Mike