Word to the Wise
Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - Nov. 9 - The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
[Ezek 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17; John 2:13-22]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 Corinthians]
One way to make history is to make a donation! The Laterani family gave some land to the pope back in the 4th century. The pope built his cathedral on it and for centuries that is where the popes lived. The Basilica of St. John Lateran is still the official cathedral of the diocese of Rome, but we don't pay it much mind because of the Basilica of St. Peter which seems to be the cathedral of the whole church! The Lateran basilica has survived earthquakes and wars and epidemics. It seems to have been well-built. But without worshipers and worship it remains just a building.
Across the street from our Dominican house a new Catholic Student Center is going up which will serve the needs of our students at Texas Tech University. The name of John Saleh will be on it because he very generously donated the money for the whole thing. Right now I can watch the foundations being carefully laid and can think of St. Paul's words quoted above. Again, without students to animate the place, it will remain an impressive but empty building.
The Church is people. The people build "churches" so we can have a place to gather and praise God together. From the Lateran basilica to the John Saleh Catholic Center, it is the same thing. It's all a matter of praising God! AMEN
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