Living Stones and Heavenly Jerusalem: Dr. Benjamin Lewis on the Collect for the Dedication of St. John Lateran

 

Why does the Catholic Church celebrate a liturgical feast for a physical building? On The Son Rise Morning Show, host Matt Swaim welcomes back Dr. Benjamin Lewis from the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) to break down the Collect (Opening Prayer) for the November 9th Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Dr. Lewis highlights the prayer's unique present-tense imagery, which frames the faithful as "living and chosen stones" currently being built into an eternal dwelling place for God. Drawing connections to St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 2:19–22) and the vision of the New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 21), they discuss why honoring the Mother Church of Christendom illuminates our active role in building up the Kingdom of God as the liturgical year draws to its close. Stream now!