Homily for the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

We often claim we would like to hear more good news. Reports of tragedies, wars, and government shutdowns we say make us feel down. Over the last few weeks, we’ve learned that for a number of reasons we actually thrive on bad news. We are interested in bad news because first of all it is unique and novel. It captures our attention. At times bad news can make us feel better about our life situation. We can say to ourselves, well at least I’m not suffering through that. Bad news can come as a warning that prepares us for a dangerous situation coming our way.

While bad news offers stimuli, deep in our hearts and souls we desire good news. The good news we need comes to us from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. We call it the gospel, a Greek word for news that brings joy. The good news of Jesus Christ was summed up by St. John the Evangelist when he wrote in his gospel

.For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

 While we might believe Jesus brought good news into the world not everyone feels that way. Some people declare it bad news. They feel that way either because they misunderstand it or because Christians have misrepresented it to them. They have encountered people claiming to be followers of Jesus but don’t make that very believable through their words and actions.

 One person who didn’t believe the life of Jesus was good news was the Apostle Paul who wrote today’s second reading from his First Letter to the Corinthians. Many of you know that Paul started out fighting the spread of the good news. He was a young Pharisee who was very well versed in the Hebrew scriptures. He lead a group of fellow Jews who stoned to death St. Stephen the first Christian martyr because Stephen was preaching the Good News.

 After that Paul was the leader of a group on its way to Damascus to try to round up members of the Church in that city. On his way, Jesus appeared to him to ask why Paul was persecuting the Christians. After that personal encounter with Jesus, Paul was completely changed. When he learned, Jesus had come to proclaim the forgiveness of sins, he discovered he had a friend in Jesus. A friend who embraced him in love, mercy, and tender intimacy. In Jesus he found strength for his days. Paul felt he didn’t walk alone but with Jesus at his side. With Jesus, Paul found his hope for the future. God became the center of his life, death had no power over him, and he came to realize he was working with God at his side. Paul discovered he was a living stone, part of the foundation of the Church.

 That is the Good News for us today. Today we celebrate that, through our baptism, we are all living stones part of the foundation of the Church. Every year the Church celebrates today’s feast of the Dedication of the Basilica Church of St. John Lateran on November 9. It is only occasionally that it is celebrated it on a Sunday. Today’s feast commemorates the day of dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran. St John Lateran is the cathedral church of Rome and the official church of the pope. It is considered the mother church of all Catholic Churches. As Christmas Day is the titular birthday for every domesticated animal regardless of when throughout the year they might have been born, so today we celebrate the dedication of every church building our own Holy Redeemer included

.We are all justly proud of our church here at Holy Redeemer. Just over a year ago we carried out its complete renewal. That renovation has been tremendously well received. I haven’t heard one complaint or discouraging word about the church’s transformation. Our guests all tell us we have a beautiful church. We are presently conducting a three year capital campaign to raise the funds to make other improvements. Our goal is to raise $750,000. The largest item on our list is replacing the worn cedar shingles on the church with composite siding identical to the shingles we put on the church addition. We are fast approaching raising the money it will cost to complete that project. As the end of the year approaches please consider donating to the capital fund to help make Holy Redeemer a beautiful Temple of God inside and out.

 However, a church is much more than a physical building. The true strength of a church is the people who worship within understanding they are its foundation. As Paul wrote today to the Corinthians

"For you are God’s building."

 And

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God

and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"

I’d like to share my story of discovering I was part of the temple of God. It began soon after I graduated from college. My parish church was at the top of my street. One day on my way home from work, as I slowed to turn on to my street, I noticed my pastor mowing the lawn around the church and rectory. I though to myself, Fr. Mullaney shouldn’t be doing that.

 Early the next Saturday morning, I went and knocked on the rectory door. I asked the pastor if he would like me to mow the lawn. He said, certainly. The man who had done it for years had become sick and was going blind. I pulled out the machine, a rake, the lawn trimmers, and went to work. I had the job as a volunteer for the next three years. I didn’t mind; I enjoyed the job. You might be surprised but doing that job helped me to grow in a sense of ownership of my parish. From there I joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society and was later asked to teach Confirmation Class.

 My involvement in the parish wasn’t only volunteering. As I spent more time around church I began to grow spiritually. I began reading and wanting to learn more about my faith. In Downtown New Bedford, where I worked, a group of Franciscans ran Our Lady’s Chapel. On my lunch hour I would stop in for a few minutes of prayer. I participated in a Cursillo Retreat. I wasn’t making a great salary at my job but I began making a sacrificial financial gift to my parish. I started taking my call to be a living stone in the foundation of the Church seriously. Soon people began suggesting the priesthood to me. I began to wonder whether God was calling me. It took a few years but finally I decided to give the seminary a try and well here I am

.As I told you at the beginning of Mass, the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Fall River is conducting a vocations awareness program this weekend. It’s name is Called by Name. We don’t have very many youths in our parish. Unfortunately, it just isn’t our demographic this time of year. Maybe you do know a young man who, like some of the parishioners in my home parish saw in me, you see has the qualities and character you feel would possibly make a good priest. Last year two parishioners contacted me asking advice because their grandsons seemed interested in the priesthood. Write their names down on the card that are in the book racks and drop it in the collection basket

.How is God beckoning you to become more faithful to your call to strengthen our parish? How is God encouraging you to be a more faithful part of the Temple of God? After Mass today we are conducting our Ministry Fair. Representatives from parish ministries and organizations will be available to share information about their activities. Hopefully, you will follow the footprints downstairs to the Parish Center, learn about opportunities to minister in the parish and maybe sign up for one. Even if your a seasonal parishioner you can sign up to serve this parish when you are here. If nothing else, come share a cup of coffee and refreshments

.Perhaps you see a need for a ministry we don’t have in the parish. Don’t be shy about asking to start it. A couple of years ago, parishioner Marilyn Whelden saw the need for greeters at funerals and a Bereavement Ministry. She came to me with the suggestion. I gave her my approval to start them and today both are thriving

.It isn’t only me. Many people keep saying they feel very happy and positive about our parish. They tell me our parish has a great spirit and sense of community. If you are willing to minister in this parish at whatever level and timeframe works for you, we’re happy to have you. Becoming involved in your parish will not only give you an opportunity to use some volunteer time but will help deepen your faith and strength our community. It will help you embrace your baptismal role as part of the foundation of the Church and the Temple of God.