Written by Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care

The oldest church in the West is the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, built in 312. The church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, whose statues stand on either side of Jesus Christ at the top of the church. It is the seat of the Pope, who is the Bishop of Rome, even though we most often find the Pope in St. Peter. The property on which the church is built came from the Laterani family, which is why the name of the church includes “Lateran.” Next to the church is the Lateran Palace which contains the Scala Sancta. These 28 steps were said to have been brought to Rome from the Holy Land and were the stairs Jesus climbed to see Pilate for his trial for execution.  St. John Lateran is celebrated with a Feast, as it is the home church of all Catholics.

In 1209, Francis and his eleven companions came to Rome to see Pope Innocent III to seek approval for their way of life. Innocent had a dream that revealed to him St. John Lateran crumbling and Francis holding up the church. This statue of St. Francis outside St. John Lateran in Rome recalls the moment he received the Pope’s blessing to begin the Franciscan movement. When standing at the right angle to view this statue, it seems that Francis is holding up the church.

What can we do to hold up the church? What is our role in taking care of our local parish and the larger church? Whatever our tradition, our home church needs our support. And larger church bodies do as well. Sometimes we feel better about giving financial support locally, but we may also find that the larger church does amazing work in the world. It may be that our local church gives to the larger church body, which allows our gifts to do double duty. Our local church also needs our time. What can we offer to help out? Reading the Scripture during worship is a wonderful way to give of our time. Visiting those who are homebound is another. Giving to a food pantry in these trying times holds up the Body of Christ. There are many ways to share our gifts. The saints show us the way. May we, like Francis, hold up the church.

Blessed Angela: “Keep giving yourself to God completely.”