You are God’s building.
According to the grace of God given to me,
like a wise master builder I laid a foundation,
and another is building upon it.
But each one must be careful how he builds upon it,
for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there,
namely, Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 3:9c-11)
Today is the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome.
One might ask why we have a feast for the dedication of a building?
St. John Lateran is the Pope’s church. Many people mistakenly think that St. Peter’s is the Pope’s church. However, St. John Lateran is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome. And, since the Pope is the head of the universal Church, St. John Lateran is our cathedral church as well.
As the pope is the bishop of Rome, we turn our thoughts to our own bishop as well. Today is the 75th birthday of Bishop Melczek. As you may be aware, all bishops are required to turn in their resignations upon their 75th birthday. We thank God for the gift that he has been for our diocese and ask God’s blessings upon him as he looks ahead to the next stage of his life.
Yet, as important as any building may be, this feast reminds us of another crucial reality: you and I are Church as well. We are the living stones upon which the Church of Christ is built.
As living stones, we must be planted firmly upon Jesus Christ, our foundation and our cornerstone.
May God’s grace and love be upon us this day!
FAITH ACTION: Sometimes it is good to reflect upon the words of a song:
The church’s one foundation
is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the Word.
From heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.
Elect from every nation,
yet one o’er all the earth;
her charter of salvation,
one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with every grace endued.
Yet she on earth hath union
with God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with thee.