For the Poor Souls in Purgatory
Readings of the Day
Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 32 The Tools and Goods of the Monastery
Mass: Ezk 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Resp Ps 46; 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17; Jn 2:13-22
There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God.
MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,
SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,
SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,
SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,
PRAY FOR US.
Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply will live.
(Ezk 47:9)
It is certainly an occasion for celebration and rejoicing as we mark the dedication of the magnificent Basilica of Saint John Lateran by Pope Saint Sylvester I in 324. It is this basilica, and not Saint Peter's, that is the cathedra (or chair) of the bishop of Rome, that is, the pope. The Basilica of Saint John Lateran in the San Giovanni in Laterano Square in Rome is "the mother and head of all churches of the city and of the world." God is praised.
There are plenty of things to be about this day. We turn to two saints for guidance. First, Saint Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians, reminds us that we are God's building and we must be careful how we build upon this building, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one who is there, namely, Jesus Christ. We are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in us. Let us not be about destroying God's temple, as God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which we are, is holy (see 1 Cor 3:9-11, 16-17). We reverence the building founded on the Rock Jesus Christ. As we turn away from evil and do good, we reverence our bodies by looking after ourselves, after our spiritual growth and development, our physical and emotional health and well-being, all while we foster with fervent love the good zeal that Saint Benedict writes about in Ch 72 of the Holy Rule. Yes, we regard all utensils and goods of the monastery as sacred vessels of the altar and never fail to keep the things belonging to the monastery clean and look after them with great care (see Rule of Saint Benedict, 31:10; 32:4). Be built up like living stones, into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood (Communion Antiphon, Mass). United in faith and prayer, we go forth.
My fellow Christians, today is the birthday of this church, and an occasion for celebration and rejoicing. We, however, ought to be the true and living temple of God ...
do we wish to celebrate joyfully the birth of this temple? Then let us not destroy the living temples of God in ourselves by works of evil ... Whenever we come to the church, we must prepare our hearts to be as beautiful as we expect this church to be. Do you wish to find this basilica immaculately clean? Then do not soil your soul with the filth of sins. Do you wish this basilica to be full of light? God too wishes that your soul be not in darkness, but that the light of good works shine in us, so that He who dwells in the heavens will be glorified. Just as you enter this church building, so God wishes to enter your soul, for He promised: I shall live in them, and I shall walk the corridors of their hearts.
(From a sermon by Saint Caesarius of Arles, in Office of Readings, November 9)
SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST,
POPE SAINT SYLVESTER I,
PRAY FOR US.
Friendly reminder: And just what saint are you adding to your collection today? And when the saints go marching in, when the saints go marching in ...
Today's photo: I was glad to find this in the archives, from 2018. Just what I was looking for. God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed.
© Gertrude Feick 2022
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