Week of July 16, 2017

Week of July 16, 2017

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Dear Parishioners,

I recently had an opportunity to travel to Rome, Italy. Even though it was my fourth trip there, each time I go, I come back with a new appreciation of that city and all it stands for.

Even as just a secular city, Rome had tremendous influence on all of Europe and even the world. Its republican system of government is one of the models used for the founding of our own country. Its laws were the basis of many of the laws of Europe. Its outward expansion was imitated by almost all European countries in the age of colonialism. Since ancient times, it was always considered to be a symbol of power.

However, Rome is also incredibly important to the history of Christianity. The Acts of the Apostles concludes with St. Paul coming to Rome and witnessing there. This in a sense is the high point of St. Paul’s ministry to the gentiles. Throughout his preaching, he desired for all people to know Christ and to have faith in Him. Christianity would not just be for people who were already Jewish or willing to take on Jewish customs. Instead, Christianity would embrace all people and places. To someone from Israel, Rome must have seemed like the end of the world. But, in many other ways it was the world’s center.

I think this is all a sign of God’s providence. We are not Roman Catholics by accident. We are Roman Catholic because St. Peter was martyred in this city. Since he was the leader of the Apostles, Rome naturally had prominence over other Patriarchal Sees of the ancient Church (like Constantinople, Alexandria and Antioch). Just as an ancient secular Rome had an eye to incorporate the whole world into one political system, so the Church wants all people to embrace Christ as their Lord and Savior.

If you ever visit Rome (which is something I think everyone should do), you will find all these layers of history at play and so much more. You can find the evidence of Martyrs in catacombs and churches. You can find evidence of ancient Imperial Rome in the many monuments of the city. You can find the faith in so many of the priests, religious and laity who come to Rome. And you can find the unity of the Church in the Holy Father who resides there.

Peace,

Fr. Carter