Homily Outline Combining Resources

Homily outline: 

• Why this Feast? Our first reaction to this Feast may be to ask, “what has this got to do with me or with people in the far-flung corners of the world? After all isn’t it a feast of a church building in Rome?”  Yes, we do celebrate a physical building that we may never set eyes upon, but this Feast is about much more, and with some reflection we can see that this Feast does have something important to say to us today.
• History The basilica of St. John Lateran is the cathedral church of the bishop of Rome, the Pope. It has the title “Mother and Head of all the Churches in the City and in the World.” The original church was dedicated on 9 November 324 CE. Over the centuries it has been destroyed by earthquakes, fires, and attacks. Despite all these serious setbacks the church has been painstakingly rebuilt many times. This is because this Basilica symbolizes something very important: the unity of the church.
• Unity Christian communities throughout the world are built on one foundation, which is Christ. By celebrating this feast, we show we are united with the Pope and with each other “for in the Spirit we were all baptized into one body …. now you are Christ’s body” (1 Cor 12). The Church is not primarily a building but a community. St Paul tells the community at Corinth in the second reading “You are God’s building.” We are the place where God wishes to dwell, so that we may reveal God’s loving presence to others.
• The need for Healing The message that we give, as members of a community of love, is vital in a world which seems to be more fractured than ever. Increased family breakdown, the loneliness of the elderly, poisonous political rhetoric, international terrorism, wars, and extremism of various kinds are indications of our fractured communities. The church too has been damaged from within through various abuses down the centuries and is in danger of becoming more polarized. There is urgent need for healing.
• St. Paul’s Cure Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians can be a great help.  This whole letter was written by Paul in response to divisions in the community at Corinth.  It is no coincidence that Paul immediately follows his reflection on the body (the church) with his beautiful insights on love (1 Cor 13). Love is the key to a united and healthy body. Love is the implant that can overcome divisions and stimulate life and warmth where relationships have been severed. Love revives and restores relationships. St. John of the Cross tells us “Put love where there is no love, and there you will draw out love.”  https://carmeliteinstitute.net/the-power-of-love-in-saint-john-of-the-cross/
• A place of Encounter St. Paul could write so beautifully about love because he encountered the One who is love: the Risen Christ. He made it his life mission to help people know Christ. The purpose of the church is to create opportunities for people to encounter Christ, and to receive His love and healing.  We can do this more effectively if we are united and faithful “your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly father” (Matt 5:16). Sharing our time and expertise creates an environment where love can grow. Our parish activities, our outreach, and our buildings, give visibility to our faith, remind people of God’s presence, and helps them experience God’s love. In this way we become implants of love and bring life.
• Reason for Hope Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation II acknowledges that “though humanity is divided by dissension and discord” God can “move human hearts that enemies may speak to each other again” so that “those of every race and tongue” can share in “the unending banquet of unity.” Divisions should not lead us to despair. Repairs and renewal are possible and new innovations and structures can be conceived with divine help – the building work continues.

Relationships: The scriptures tell us, and Scientific research attests that we receive life through relationships, relationships, relationships. As people of faith, today we celebrate our relationship with God, our relationships as part of one body – the church, and our relationship with all of God’s creation.