What’s all the fuss about buildings? Doesn’t the Bible tell us over and over again not to focus on material things but rather on the heart? Aren’t we supposed to focus on the Church rather than a church? Well, if the Church has proclaimed this day a feast, then it must have some great significance, so let’s find it. The Archbasilica of St. John Lateran in Rome is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. His cathedra, his bishop’s seat, is found at St. John Lateran. This basilica

The Gospel makes it pretty clear that exalting yourself is not the way into the Kingdom. So it might sound strange to hear Paul saying he expects the winner’s crown. So why is he any different from the Pharisee in the Gospel? The Pharisee fasted and tithed, was not greedy or adulterous, but he misses the point. He thinks that being right with God comes from a person’s accomplishments. He feels no need to ask for God’s mercy. Yet if he relied on that mercy, he wouldn’t boast a

The Holy Year, which is celebrated every 25 years, although Francis had already convoked an extraordinary Jubilee in 2016 dedicated to...