In the Heart of the Church by Andy Sanchez
Power. Glory. Victory. These are perhaps some of the words that one might use when they look upon the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica. To the pilgrims of the Archdiocese of Portland, there was something deeper. At first I couldn’t believe that I was finally fulfilling a long held dream of visiting St. Peter’s, yet here I am in the heart of the Church. But I also never could have imagined that in my lifetime, especially in this stage of my seminary formation, I would be able to fulfill one of my greatest desires: to pray at the tomb of St. Peter.
As I walked through the massive archways of St. Peter’s Basilica, there was weight that came upon me and a sense of awe as I made my way toward the sacristy. As we made our way down into the Vatican Grottos, where the tomb of St. Peter and numerous popes are buried, I found myself overcome. Here lies Peter, the rock upon which Christ built his Church. Here lies Peter, the simple fisherman called by Christ to be a fisher of men. Here lies Peter who, once was the weak Simon who denied his Lord, gave the ultimate witness to Jesus Christ whom he believed and loved. St. Peter’s example is a sobering reminder that even with our weaknesses and brokenness, Christ is able to make those the means of bold witnesses to his gospel. It is not in the great works we achieve that measure ourselves, but the greatness of our love and fidelity to Him who first loved us.
I suppose it is no coincidence that in speaking of the love of St. Peter and his noble witness to Christ we also celebrate the feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face. She, perhaps most prominently, taught her “little way” of doing little things with a great love for God. For her, the Church has a heart and it was in this heart that she desired to be love. From these two Saints, Peter and Therese, we can learn what it means to love Jesus Christ with all that we are and have. So perhaps in reflecting in our day at St. Peter’s Basilica, we can think of power, glory and victory. The power of Christ made perfect in weakness. The glory of Christ’s death and resurrection. The victory of Christ over sin and death. Whether through martyrdom like the Rock or through the way of the Little Flower, let us always be set aflame with that apostolic zeal that makes us bold witnesses of Jesus to whatever end.