28 October 2013 - solid ground

We are

built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together

In no way can we stand apart.  We cannot be islands.  To follow Jesus means to be built on the foundation he lays and to be "held together" in him by the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (cf. Eph. 4:3).  We are made to be living stones (cf. 1 Pet 2:5).  Only together do we grow "into a temple sacred in the Lord".  Only together are we most fully "a dwelling place of God in the Spirit".  The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each individual for all.  Yet because he himself is three persons we ourselves find his fullness only in communion.  We may style ourselves self-sufficient but alone we are "strangers and sojourners".  This unity applies to those of us who are alive but also to those who have gone before us with whom we are also united in Christ.  The "houshold of God" transcends the present age.  This is why we can't break off from the Church and do our own thing.  It is a continuity throughout history which God builds.  It is sacred temple.  All other foundations are shifting sand.

What does this mean for us as individuals?  It means we must learn to overcome the differences which keep us apart.  We are all entitled to the ways in which God makes us unique.  But we must not let these quirks of personality keep us at odds with any brothers and sisters.  It means we must find ourselves in unbroken continuity with the foundation built by Jesus, the Church (cf. Mat. 16:18 and 1 Tim 3:15).  Even apostles that don't contribute writings to the New Testament are foundations upon which we ourselves are built (cf. Rev. 21:14).  Even without writing, their "message goes out through all the earth", because of their legacy in the Church.

We must let ourselves be "built".  We must trust in the Spirit to make us "grow".  And we must rest and find our solidity on the "foundation" we are given.  Most importantly, Jesus is the cornerstone that provides the strength and support on which the foundation depends.

Jesus is the master builder who combines disparate stones into a a beautiful temple.  This is why he is so careful in choosing the twelve.

Jesus went up to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the night in prayer to God.

He continues to build us just as carefully he does them.  He works to make us one even as he and the Father are one (cf. Joh. 17:21).

When day came, he called his disciples to himself,

This is how unity happens.  Let us hear his call and draw near to him.  When we arrive we don't find a "me and Jesus" scenario.  We find the head and the body together.  We find the Catholic Church.