Two weeks ago we celebrated the feast of the anniversary of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica of St. John the Baptist (originally named Church of the Savior) in Rome. It is the oldest cathedral in the world and oldest basilica in Rome. It is the pope's cathedral and mother church of all churches everywhere.
On August 5th we celebrate the feast of the dedication of the basilica of St. Mary Major, also in Rome: another of the four major basilicas.
Today we celebrate the last two: the basilicas of St. Peter in Rome, and the basilica of St. Paul located on the Ostian Way outside the walls of the city. They are dedicated, of course, to the two princes of the Apostles, Peter and Paul upon whom the entire structure of the Church rests.
(Right here in Lewiston, Maine, we have a minor basilica named after both Peter and Paul – we remember the basilica parish on this their feast day!).
What is important to remember is the symbolic value of these magnificent edifices: they demonstrate the majesty and power and reality of awesomeness of God that is our rock, our fortress and our defense against the wiles of the enemy – the Evil one – who prowls about the earth seeking the ruin of souls. But what cannot be forgotten is that these monuments of stone and glass are meaningless unless we have the faith to give them significance, value and meaning – unless we ourselves (who are the members of the Church) are living stones and jewels and glass that make up the One spiritual temple of God.
For one day: the stones, and the glass will disintegrate; but the reality of the spiritual Kingdom of God with its Temple of Glory will last forever – with the Apostles among which shine Peter and Paul, as the foundation – and us as living stones and mortar and glass and jewels.
We look to the basilicas of Sts Peter and Paul in Rome today to be our motivation to be the best Catholics we can be – so that we can be the best citizens of heaven in the world to come!
May our faith be strong – may we have the determination and single-mindedness of St. Paul; may we be able to walk on the waters of these troubled times as did St. Peter and not falter – because Jesus bids us come – and now we have what St. Peter did not have when he faltered – we have the presence of the power of the Holy Spirit himself to help our faith!
Sing praise to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the Lord.
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