we are “being built on the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord…” (Ephesians 2: 19-22)
Every month we celebrate a feast of an apostle. St. Cyril of Alexandria calls the apostles messengers to the world.
” Our Lord Jesus Christ has appointed certain men to be guides and teachers of the world and stewards of his divine mysteries. Now he bids them to shine out like lamps and to cast out their light not only over the land of the Jews but over every country under the sun and over people scattered in all directions and settled in distant lands.”
Jesus called his church to embrace people from every nation, time and place. The monthly celebration of apostles reminds us that our church is called to that mission.
We belong to a church described as a building, not a complete building, but one “being built.” It is a house meant for all the peoples of the world. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, holding everything together and ensuring it grows to the “sacred temple of the Lord.” The apostles and prophets are its foundation stones.
We may not see the church in our part of the world growing. It looks like it’s falling apart. Yet our church is bigger than we think. Its influence is growing worldwide. It is growing numerically worldwide. We see only part of the church.
The apostles brought their message to all the earth. Accounts of their missionary journeys may not all be historically true, but they were convinced of their universal mission. The apostles call us to this same universal mission.
“We have inherited heaven along with the apostles.” “On the foundations stones of the heavenly Jerusalem, the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are written,” That’s where we are headed, but now we see only so much..
Dear Father Victor, we not only learn, but we thrive, with your reflections. This one is no exception. Thank you! As we are a church bound for glory, then thank you for helping lead the charge. And, thank God, for putting prophets like you in our midst. It profits us all. Glory be to God!
Hear “Bound for Glory” and clap your hands.
https://youtu.be/qZCqqzqfnNQ?t=3
Dear Father Victor, each time I read a post of yours I get something more out of it. Today, with this post, I’m called to a more mature understanding of, as you say, a church “being built.” And, how, too, I can do my part in helping it grow!
God bless you, Father Victor. As I have said before…”thank God, for putting prophets like you in our midst. It profits us all. Glory be to God!”
I meant it then and mean it now even more!