Marian Pilgrimage Diary: Day 11

Day 11: You Are A Holy Site

A Day In The Vatican

              Today, we visited The Vatican and St. Maria Maggiore—one of the four major basilicas of Rome. 
              And man, was it overwhelming.  I’ve been here four or five times before, but each time, it still hits me with a force of a tsunami.
              No words can describe the Vatican’s beauty and splendor.
              Imagine: One million statues dating as far as back as the Roman empire.  The Sistine Chapel (where the cardinals elect a new pope) with jaw-dropping frescoes from Michaelangelo himself, one of the greatest artists of all time.  And of course, St. Peter’s Basilica—the largest Catholic Church in the world.
              A few centuries ago, the Pope had enormous political power—and you could see remnants of this past glory in the Vatican.  Once upon a time, there were Papal States, and kings of nations would bow low before the Pope, following him as they would a real emperor.
              One feeling I had as I walked through all this glory—I thank God my Church has roots dating back to the apostles.  I will always appreciate this fact.  Friends, the Catholic Church has spiritual wealth we usually take for granted.
              And there lies the rub: It’s spiritual wealth.
              Let me answer the question I posed yesterday: Does God live in Rome?
              Yes, He does.  In a very special way.
              But you see, God’s greatest temple isn’t made of marble and stone, or brick and mortar.  Instead, God’s most important home is every human heart that beats in this world.  In God’s mind, you are more valuable than all the material wealth of the Vatican put together. 
              Many times in this pilgrimage, our jaws dropped in breathtaking awe whenever we saw a great basilica or cathedral.  Some of us were even moved to tears.   But what’s the truth?  God’s jaw doesn’t drop at the sight of a majestic church.  He isn’t impressed by a piece of marble encrusted in gold.  Instead, it’s the sight of the human heart that made that church beautiful that moves God to tears and joy.
              Indeed, God’s fingerprints are all over Rome.  And Assisi.  And Lourdes.  And Fatima.  He worked miracles in these places.  But I believe pilgrims should visit holy sites to study these fingerprints so that they can see these same fingerprints in their personal lives.
              Friend, you are a holy site!
             God’s fingerprints are all over you.
             He has worked in your life.  Right now, He’s within you, busy blessing your life.  And more than any church building in the world, God’s presence is within you.
             Because of this, I believe the Catholic Church will continue until the end of this age.  Buildings may decay.  (Churches in Europe are being sold and turned into bars, restaurants, and homes.)  Structures may change.  Externals may change.  But God’s Presence in the human heart will never change.
            I repeat my message: You are holier than any holy site you visit.
It’s useless to see God in a sacred site—and not discover the same God at work in your life, in your heart, and in your family. 
            It’s useless to visit hometowns of the saints—if you will not hear the same sacred voice within you calling you to be holy and great as well.  Friend, you are called to do great things for God.
            See yourself as a holy place!  Respect yourself.  Value yourself.  Love yourself.  Never destroy yourself with sin.
 
            Tomorrow, we will talk about our tendency to build other castles.
 
            Abangan…
 
            I remain your friend,
 
            Bo Sanchez
 
 
PS.  I am preaching in the United States on the following dates and places:
 
May  21, 2007  St. Christopher Catholic Church Moreno Valley, CA 92553-4373 
May  22, 2007  St. Ciprian Church Long Beach, CA 90808 
May  23, 2007  St. Patrick's Catholic Church North Hollywood, CA 91606 
May  24, 2007  St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Church Walnut, CA 91789
May  25-27, 2007 Northern CA Charismatic Convention
                            Santa Clara  Convention Center
May 27 , 2007  All Saints Church (7pm Mass), Hayward, CA 94541
May 28, 2007   St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, SF, CA, 94124
May 29, 2007   St. Augustine's Catholic Church, SF, CA 94080
 
For more details, click here.  Tell your friends to go!
 
 
PS2. If you’re a parent that’s interested in homeschooling your kids, you can email me at catholicfilipinoacademy@gmail.com and I’ll send you an article that will explain the whole world of homeschooling.
 
PS3. Get inspired.  You can watch me on KerygmaTV on ABC Channel 5, every Tuesday, 10pm.  Spread the word!
 
PS4. Each month, I send to my partners FREE issues of Kerygma magazine plus my Life Dreams Success Journal, also for free.  (The Life Dreams Success Journal is a small powerful tool I made that has already helped thousands of people fulfil their goals in life.)  Yes, I give these to all KerygmaFamily members who support the ministry through a monthly love offering of at least P100 (local) or $20 (international).  If you’re not yet a KerygmaFamily member, log onto www.kerygmafamily.com now and receive Kerygma magazine each month plus the Life Dreams Success Journal as my thank you gifts.  Don’t miss this month’s issue!  Log on at www.kerygmafamily.com now.