Acts 28:11-16,30-31; Ps 98 The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power; Matthew 14:22-33
Today we celebration the dedication of the two major Basilicas in Rome that in some sense represent the universal church: St. Peter's Basilica and St. Paul's Basilica.
Both church are built over the tomb of the great apostles that led the charge in proclaiming the gospel both the jews and the gentiles.
Beneath St. Peter's lies the bones of St. Peter and St. Paul houses the tomb of St, Paul, both of these men gave their life for the sake of Christ. Both of these men understood what it meant to be a temple of the Holy Spirit.
When you walk into these two great monuments of faith, instantly your eyes go upward and the soul is filled with awe and majesty, thus the visitor is prepared to contemplate the majesty of God.
The basilicas represent the life of faith and the promise of Christ who said he would be with us always until the end of the age.
As in the gospel for today where JEsus comes walking on water to the disciples who are being tossed about by the storm, so we are reminded that the storms of life will come; waves and wind will blow, but JEsus comes to us out of the storm, to be that calming presence we need.
JEsus doesn't prevent storms but rather he accompanies us through them.
In the midst of the storm we hear the words of Christ, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."
The BAsilicas of St. Peter and St, Paul remind us of that calming presence of Christ who accompanies us in the midst of the storms, who stands fast while the wind and waves crash around us, who beckons at us to come, who reaches stretches his hands out to grab us in our time of doubt and weakness.
Only a Basilica such as St. Peter and Paul can attempt to do justice to the calming presence, the rock like presence that JEsus is for us in life.
Virtual tour of St. Peter's Basilica
Virtual tour of St. Paul's Outside the Walls
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