This yadid dwelling place (Sunday homily)

 Every year, on or near August 14, you and I have the opportunity 

to recall the consecration of this house of God. 

And, I would say further, that it is also a duty.

Which raises the question: Why? Why do we do this?

First, because of gratitude. It is right to be grateful

that God worked through you, the people of St. Mary, 

to create this place where Jesus dwells with us.

Now, it is painful to say, but: how we miss our beloved former pastor, 

our friend, Father Jim Manning!

I almost said, we wish he were here, but he *is* here.

Holy Mass is where all the faithful are united, 

on earth, in purgatory, and heaven. So, he’s with us.

Just not as we would wish.

If he were speaking to you now, he’d be the first to say:

This anniversary, this church, isn’t about him.

And that’s true. But God works through events, and people.

And we are grateful Father Jim let God work through him.

I haven’t announced this publicly – but I have mentioned it to few – 

so, today I’ll let everyone know something.

Later this year – we haven’t finalized the date –

We’re going to rededicate the Parish Center, downstairs, 

as the “Father James Manning Pastoral Center.”

The same artist who created the beautiful image of Our Lady – 

that hangs in the baptistry – is creating a portrait of Father Jim.

When that is ready, we’ll put it in place downstairs, 

and everyone will be invited to a celebration at that time. 

No date set, but soon!

Now, if our friend Father Jim were sitting here, 

he’d be gesturing to me to stop talking about him!

So, learning from his good example, 

let’s talk about what we heard in the Scriptures.

In the psalm, we prayed, 

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!”

I looked up that word which is translated, “lovely.” 

The root word is “yadid.” And do you know what? 

It’s not about physical beauty.

That is because the “love” involved 

isn’t just affection or even attachment.

“Yadid” is an “intimate, convenantal” relationship. 

Of being “protected” and “cherished.”

God loves us with “yadid” – so much so, he came in the flesh, 

and formed a new and everlasting covenant with us:

That means Jesus, and his death on the Cross, 

and the Holy Mass where his “yadid” love is recalled!

That’s why this church was built. 

That’s why this altar is the center.

That’s why you and I “yearn” to be here!

God’s “yadid” is poured out here.

You and I become His “yadid” – 

that is, His beloved, sealed in a covenant –

And that makes this place “yadid” – lovely!

Of course, it’s about more than a building, but it’s not about less.

Our faith goes beyond this place; 

But this church is an expression of our faith.

And, of our hope.

You would not have contributed and cooperated and sacrificed 

to build this church, if you had no hope!

This sacred place continues a long legacy 

reaching back to our former spiritual home in Franklin. 

The windows and the stations of the cross came from there.

And just as those who built that church could not anticipate 

all the needs of the future, neither can you and I.

We can’t know, but you and I can hope 

that those who planted seeds of faith in Franklin 

are thrilled, as they look on from eternity, 

to see what is coming to fruition in Springboro.

What will future generations do with the legacy we hand on to them?

Right now, the present reality of being Catholic in AD 2025, 

in our country, is that this parish is coming together 

with Saint Henry and Our Lady of Good Hope in shared mission.

Recall, St. Mary was born as a mission of Our Lady of Good Hope.

But even after we are united under the patronage of St. John Paul II,

This church is now called, and will always be called, 

St. Mary of the Assumption Church.

Surely, we’ve all noticed farms around here giving way to homes.

There are going to be a lot of people 

coming to this lovely dwelling place for long years to come!

By the way, that term, “dwelling place,” doesn’t mean a house or home.

It refers to that most sacred place where God chooses to dwell.

So many of the people who helped this building rise 

are sitting right here. You cast your seeds of faith.

You sacrificed. You helped decide, and shape, what would result.

And yet – if you will forgive me – someone else decided, first:

God! God chose to dwell with us.

That not only makes this place beloved – lovely – it also reminds us: 

whatever time brings – and with enough time, it’ll bring everything! – 

you and I will come and go.

This neighborhood, our country, will change.

But God is here. He came to be here. And that will never change.