Do You Love Me?

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I read today's Gospel through tears of joy. I was profoundly touched by the conversation between Jesus and Peter. I was moved to tears by the gentleness and compassion Jesus shows to Peter, and to us if we but ask.  The gregarious, outspoken disciple is finally humbled by the Lord and recognizes, maybe for the first time, that Jesus truly loves him, trusts him, forgives, and forgets all of Peter's failings and weaknesses. This passage is moving but we would do well to first read the entire 21st Chapter of John, a mere 25 verses to really understand how the relationship between these two men has moved to an entirely different level. John brings his Gospel to a close by taking us back to the very beginning of the relationship. Back then, Peter was out fishing all night, catching nothing, before his first encounter with the Lord. Here too, Peter, who is at this point confused, wrestling with emotions of hope and guilt, joy and sorrow, is out fishing all night catching nothing. Ag
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A Temple of the Holy Spirit

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Daniel & Catherine ready for Confirmation
I had the privilege of witnessing my son and daughter receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this past
Tuesday at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Lancaster, OH. It was a wonderful Mass with a full choir, trumpets, and all the rest.

During his remarks, Bishop Earl K. Fernandes mentioned that we too, like the Basilica, are temples of the Lord. It caused me to reflect on this idea.

Although I've mostly seen only pictures of the great cathedrals and basilicas in the world, I have seen some amazing churches even in our own diocese. These structures are a testament to the Church's love for God (read the entire Church - Militant, Suffering, Triumphant). They represent great skill, sacrifice, and passion for Our Lord and often times His Mother. 

Yet the words of Christ always echo in my mind when contemplating the beauty that surrounds me in those places; “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be one stone left upon another that will not be thrown down.”.

Sadly, it's true. Even the most treasured, magnificent, awe-inspiring temples to the Lord will fall prey to the hands of time. Through war, human rage, or simply the passing years, all of them at some point will return to dust, and so will we.

Yet, we are different than those temples. For one, we are far more beautiful than they. They are made in man's image and likeness with eyes toward God. We are made in His image and likeness. What can be more beautiful than that? They will crumble and rot. We will live forever. They may become a hostile, a museum, or even a brewery. We who are baptized, will always be children of God and nothing we may do can change that.

Basilica of St. Mary of the Annunciation,
Lancaster, OH
Photo credit: Anthony Hahn

However, one might ask about sin? It is true that sin can disfigure this temple of our souls. Yet it will always be recognizable to God no matter how far we fall. That is the sadness of sin and hell. Through sin we are a temple still beautiful yet disfigured forever. In sin we are the most beautiful creation of God, more beautiful than all of the temples built in the world combined, subject to a destruction that will never end.

Those of us who have been Confirmed would do well to meditate on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit - Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. Like any other gift, they must be received, they must be opened, they must be put to use. These gifts, and the fruits that accompany them, make us, as temples to the Lord, more and more beautiful, holy, pleasing, and lead others to God. (After all that's what the beauty of a Church, any Church, is designed to do!)

One other thought. The gifts we are given often reveal much to us concerning the heart of the giver. What do these gifts reveal about God's heart for you?


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