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Celebrating the feast of the dedication of a church is a somewhat ambiguous occasion, for God who has always sought to dwell among people cannot be contained within any material structure. And today's readings recognise the ambiguity, moving from Ezekiel's vision of the Temple as a place of worship which brings fruitfulness and healing throughout the land, to St Paul's vision, which is also St John's, of the glorious body of the risen One as the true sanctuary. The temples made by human hands and all that is done within them must be at the service of the temple not made by hands. This is a day to remember Christians everywhere in our prayers, that they may know God as a 'helper close at hand'. A day also to recognise with gratitude to God the contribution of the Church of Rome to the building up of the life of the Church Universal. Lord, bless us with Your love. Keep us united in Your Son Jesus Christ. |
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Note: The Lateran Basilica, the Cathedral of Rome, reminds us of our links with the Bishop of Rome who 'presides in love' over all the Churches. The Lateran Palace, part of the dowry of Fausta, wife of Constantine, was the emperor's first gift to the Church after his conversion (313 AD) and provided both cathedral and official residence for the popes from then until their departure for Avignon (1309). Although, on the return from Avignon, popes went to live at the Vatican, the Lateran Basilica remained and remains the cathedral of Rome.
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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That holy and exemplary men and women may be our companions in proclaiming boldly the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
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"They began to proclaim the word of God boldly" (Acts 4:31). The word "boldly" can also be translated as "audaciously" or with "forthrightness" in announcing the Christian message. The ideal agents of evangelisation should be "holy and exemplary persons". Though God could have spread His Kingdom without human collaboration, He has always sought human partners, who as suitable and free instruments, work for the salvation of humankind. The laity can evangelise chiefly through prayer, the testimony of life and the establishment of a temporal order inspired by the Gospel. Though preaching the Gospel is the competence and principal duty of those who have been ordained, lay people, who have the necessary theological training, can preach. Vatican II stresses the need for priests to be holy preachers. God ordinarily prefers to show his wonders through those men who are more submissive to the impulse and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because of their intimate union with Christ and their holiness of life, they are able to say with St Paul: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (Gal. 2:20). Let us therefore pray that all those who devote themselves directly to evangelisation may live a holy life that emphasises the credibility of the Christian message. | |
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