05/08/2022

The dedication of the  Basilica of Our Lady in Rome is commerated today. The "greatness" of the Basilica thrusts the contrast between the humble girl of Nazareth and this mighty structure built to celebrate her obedience to the will of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, into our faces. We cnnot ignore it. When the church was built in the 5th century the Church was already the structured institution that would eventually reform the crumbling Empire of Rome and already contained the seeds of her own crumbling that we cannot ignore today. The people who made up this institution were all "believers" but just we are, believers and still sinners. 

Even within the close circle of Jesus' friends there were sinners other than the traitor. It is to us the sinners that God has willed the salvation brought about by his own torments on Calvary. The great buildings dedicated to the worship of God are but by-products of the Incarnation and nothing more. They are also nothing more than the material manifestation of the  voiced "Lord, Lord" that Jesus warned us about.

St Mary's "greatness"is not in her worldly images and displays but in that she was chosen to be, the Mother from whom God begot the Son who together with the Holy Spirit is, without growth or change, the source of all being, the creator of this Universe and of each indivual who has or is or will be living a life of human freedom limited only by the need to worship and obey. Our Lady's "greatness" is in her "Fiat"an instant alignment of her human will to God's. We are all called to do the same; not to shout "Lord, Lord!"but to do the will of the Father.

Dear Lord may all your people keep from sin this day. May the example of Faith that is the known life of your mother inspire us to the true worship you have taught us in your begotten humanity.  Let Holy Spirit guide us and strengthen us in our fight against your enemies who are determind to deny you and teach the world to do the same. May Mary and all the saints bring comfort to the sick and all the suffering peoples especially to the children and innocent peoples of  this world.