For me, zeal for God's house takes the natural form of loving each person as a separate and unique and loveable image of God. It does not consist in long lectures about right and wrong, or in diatribes about who is right and wrong. Instead it lives in leading by good example. You do what you expect others to do and you don't make a point of the failings of others, but instead, of how you love them. How you love others shows the world what the House of God looks like; the extent to which we live that love shows the extent of our zeal.
The Catholic Church has celebrated the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome on November the 9th at least since the twelfth century. This is a day to remember our unity with the Chair of Peter and the mother church. The great Basilica of St. John Lateran is the oldest of Rome’s four major basilicas and, unknown to many, the cathedral of the Church of Rome. It is thus the official seat of the Pope and holds the title of “Mother church of the whole world” among Catholics. It ranks above all other churches in the Roman Catholic Church – even above St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
It is a good reminder of the Apostolic succession in our Catholic Church. Taking a cue from my mother, it’s a good day to pray for any and all bishops, priests, deacons and other religious who have ever touched our lives and enriched us with their presence.
It’s also a very good day to look in the mirror and celebrate “that” basilica, too. May zeal for God's house consume us all and show us the way to love each person to an eternity of happiness with God and the whole human family who clings to Him.
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