A few years ago, a colleague at work asked, "Why does the Catholic Church spend so much money on expensive cathedrals when half of the world suffers in poverty?"
I wasn’t surprised. As an atheist turned Catholic, I have been there and wonder how many find themselves in the same dilemma today. How can we witness the greatness and grandeur of our history in a secularized world?
That afternoon, we spent some time over coffee, reasoning and relaying our hearts and I have never been more grateful for my conversion.
Today, as we commemorate the Feast of the Dedication of two of the greatest churches in Catholicism—the Basilicas of Saint Peter and Saint Paul—we pause to remember why our churches are so ornate, exquisite, and transcendent. They point us toward Heaven and they remind us of our deepest identity as sons and daughters of an eternal God.
Celebration of Life
For you have made the whole world a temple of your glory, that your name might everywhere be extolled, yet you allow us to consecrate to you apt places for the divine mysteries. // from the Rite of the Dedication
Throughout history, the church building has been understood as a sacramental image of Heaven which gives a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy. The Book of Revelation gives a mystical vision of Heaven, calling it the “New Jerusalem,” a radiant, jewel-like city filled with heavenly beings singing God’s praises in the eternal liturgy. This image provides the model for every earthly Church building which, as Vatican II reminds us, manifests the “signs and symbols of the heavenly realities” through the medium of the arts: architecture, paintings, statues, stained glass, and so on.
But the church isn’t just a building. It is a place of divine encounter. It is a place of refuge. Here, we enter as thirsty pilgrims to drink from the Fount of Living Waters. Here we are transformed by the Eucharist, the “source and summit” of our Christian life. Here, we celebrate what it means to be "Catholic" as the Body of Christ. Here we are dismissed, as priests, prophets, and kings to change the world.
A Standing Testimony
The architecture, grandeur, and splendor of our churches are testimonials to history, faith, and sacrifice. They are reminders that we are "living stones" built into a spiritual house (see 1 Peter 2:5), reflecting God’s glory on earth, pointing people heavenward—His people, people like Peter and Paul, people like you and me!
Fallen but Not Defeated
It is hard to walk the streets of Rome and not be moved thinking about the tender love that beckoned these passionate followers of Jesus Christ.
Peter, called the "rock," was known for his impetuous nature. How could an ordinary fisherman of Galilee—let alone someone who denied the Lord—find himself as Vicar of Rome? Likewise, Paul, formerly Saul, made his name as a persecutor of Christians who vehemently opposed the Church. Yet, all of the New Testament comes alive because of his prolific writings and witness.
Peter and Paul are key witnesses to the reality and veracity of Jesus Christ. They remind us that the starting point of the Christian life is not our worthiness, it is grace. Despite their flawed past and abrasive personalities, Peter and Paul were not defeated. Both men went on to become key figures in early Christianity and great Saints.
How many times might Peter have thought back to his denial? How many scruples might Paul have felt remembering how many he had hurt? Humanly, they had failed. Yet, they encountered a love greater than failure and so can we.
Our Redeemer lives. In the economy of His Grace, nothing is wasted but all is redeemed and transformed, even our worst sins, even our most foolish mistakes.
Unity in Diversity
It is no secret that Peter and Paul were often at loggerheads with one another. When Peter’s lapse in judgment at Antioch separated him from Gentile believers “fearing the circumcision party” (see Galatians 2:12), Paul moved forward and “opposed him to his face” (see Galatians 2:11). But he didn’t do so to score points, he genuinely desired for Peter to know the truth. He desired his greater good.
Pope Francis reminds us, “Unity is possible only when Christians are able to shift the focus from themselves, to the Word of God who demands to be heard, accepted, and witnessed in the world.”
How different would our communities look like if we made unity our priority? How many today are wounded with pride and envy simply because they have elevated the "I" above the "we?" How often do we forget that God’s call for our life did not begin when we had all the answers? Isn’t it from this posture that we make room for people to be messy?
There will Always Be Conflict
Interpersonal conflict doesn’t go away with inattention. It festers. Our conflicted times are not meant to increase earthly comforts, they are meant to shake our self-righteous confidence and turn our gaze towards Heaven.
Saint Peter and Saint Paul served the Lord in very different ways, yet they were united because of their encounter with redemptive love. This love propelled them toward one another, not away. Despite their differences, Paul specifically called out to Peter of all the Apostles (see 1 Corinthians 15:5), admiring him, and Peter referred to Paul as "our beloved brother"(see 2 Peter 3:15).
The Church doesn’t need activists; she needs apostles. She needs witnesses. This doesn't mean we have to be great friends or agree with people who have contradictory views just so we avoid conflict. Rather, it means that we recognize the intrinsic value of the human person before us who demands our kindness and patience.
Rather than gossip, we can choose dialogue. Rather than competition, we can choose cooperation. Rather than focusing on our differences, we can celebrate diversity. Rather than seeing theological and ecclesial differences as barriers to growth, we can use them as catalysts for engagement, enrichment, and empowerment.
The Bond of Peace
The Church in all its diversity is one because the Holy Spirit makes us one. Only the Holy Spirit can break barriers and build bridges. Only the Holy Spirit can heal our wrecking wounds. Only the Holy Spirit can give us power to be living stones.
Where is God calling you to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace?
Tombs of Triumph
Peter and Paul were martyred about the same time (67 A.D.) during Nero’s persecution in Rome. Saint Peter’s Basilica is built over his tomb and Saint Paul’s Basilica, “outside the walls” of Rome, is built on the site where Paul was murdered.
These are not just tombs, these are stories of triumph. Despite persecution, despite martyrdom, despite the fire and plague, the Church stands and God wins.
Sister, regardless of your past, regardless of how your present looks, this is not the end of the story. Christ the cornerstone is not a dead stone! He is alive! And in Him, we come alive, we rise above our ashes, we triumph over our trials and we propel forward.
Peter and Paul could not have known the future—but they knew Christ, their Hope and Resurrection. Nero thought he had won when Peter was crucified upside down and Paul was beheaded. Instead, he had crowned them with exquisite crowns of martyrdom and raised historical monuments over their remains.
Why Our Churches are Beautiful
It is these jewels that adorn our churches and make them beautiful. It is this sacrifice that gives purpose to our pilgrim journey. It is this "dedication" that reminds us that we are a work in progress—a grand masterpiece being built into a spiritual house, laden with exquisite stones of victory that far outweighs all the riches of the world.
Peter + Paul: Saintly Polar Opposites #BISblog //Click to tweet
Michelle Karen D’Silva is a regular contributor to the BIS blog and an itinerant Catholic speaker housed in the little peninsula of Qatar. With an immense passion for discipleship, her vision is to see young people bloom into radical future saints. And so she finds herself most at home engaging with these fire-starters over conversations coupled with karak and hummus. Whether preaching, writing, or training, she never fails to return to Pope Benedict XVI—her go-to guy—who constantly inspires her to live out the “Call to Greatness” as an empowered woman empowering women in ministry, wife to a doting hubby, and mama to two constantly hungry sheep. Find out more about her here. Read all of Michelle's posts here.
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