The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, May 14, 2005
Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
St. Matthias, apostle

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 1:15-17,20-26
Psalm 113:1-8
John 15:9-17

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"All roads lead to Rome" is a famous saying. Responding to today's readings, one finds that saying particularly appropriate. Why? They deal with the conclusions of both the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel of St. John. Now, it's true that in the Acts, St. Paul is definitely singing his "swan song" in the Holy City of Rome, while Jesus in the Gospel of John is probably in Jerusalem.

Nevertheless, it was Jesus' plan that his first Vicar, Peter, should establish his Church at the center of the Roman empire. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Rome became the new Jerusalem, the nerve center (political) and the grace center (spiritual) of the Kingdom of God on earth. Both Peter and Paul, pillars of the Church, suffered martyrdom in Rome. On the foundation of their blood poured out, the modern center of the Catholic Church flourishes.

On this last Saturday before Pentecost, how fitting it is that we praise God for the tangible power of the Holy Spirit present in modern Rome these last few weeks. Can anyone doubt that it was anything other than the Divine Presence that drew the attention of millions of people to witness the saintly death of John Paul II and the election of the humble and holy Benedict XVI? If ever there was a doubt as to the true center of Christianity being in Vatican City, that doubt was dispelled during the 9 day media blitz in April, 2005.

"All roads lead to Rome!" May our spiritual journey be defined and energized by the vision of St. Peter's, the Sistine Chapel, and that window on the third floor as the goal of our allegiance and the source and model for our prayer and action." They are symbols of deep spiritual power, flowing daily from the throne of God into the hearts and lives of millions of seekers for Truth.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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