In His parables Jesus used many different images to express His doctrine of the Kingdom of God. Similarly, the New Testament is rich in images for the Church.
Originally, the Church was the community of people gathered around Jesus and then around His Apostles. As the community grew in size and needed larger buildings for worship, the name "Church" was also applied to these buildings. In recent decades, the Church has restored the notion of itself as a community, the people of God, especially the pilgrim people of God. Yet, Church buildings are still an important part of our Catholic lives. The interface between the notions of the Church as community and the Church as building is revealed in today's celebration of the consecration of the Lateran Basilica of St John: "You are God's building". As the Pope's Cathedral Church, this Basilica is the mother church of Christendom. Today, this feast takes precedence over the Ordinary Sunday of the Year, for it calls us to reflection on ourselves as the Church of Christ, His beloved community. At the same time, the feast reminds us that we are one universal Church under the Pope, the Bishop of Rome.
Lord Jesus, bless Your Church throughout the world and gather us into one sheepfold under one shepherd.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That the Christians of the West, may constantly increase their knowledge and appreciation of the spirituality and liturgical traditions of the Oriental Churches.
Elaboration
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