The Vatican Necropolis Scavi (Roma - part 2)

I spoke previously about how taken I was when visiting Rome for the first time last year.  It was a very spiritually moving experience for me to be where the first Christians fought and died for our faith.

One of my favorite parts of our trip was the tour of the excavations (scavi) of the Vatican Necropolis (city of the dead) beneath St. Peter's Basilica.  I had heard that it was "thought" that St. Peter's remains "may" be buried under the basilica. (I must be a little like St. Thomas)  Now in all honesty after visiting the excavations myself, I have no reason NOT to believe completely.  It is an absolutely incredible experience to see the bones of that great Apostle Peter.

Even from the early days of the Church, Christians had great respect and reverence for Peter, as the first Pope, the Rock upon whom Christ would build his Church.  So through all the trials and tribulations endured in Rome, the Christians took great care to safeguard Peter's remains.

Now, looking at all the history and even the scientific evidence pointing to the validity of Peter's remains, it is still tempting to contrive some sort of theory of conspiracy or reason for doubt. But I must say that actually experiencing it is very humbling and moving (once again much as St. Thomas' experience). When personally beholding the remains of that zealous and all too human fisherman from Galilee, his life becomes a reality in one's consciousness unlike ever before.

If you every get a chance to visit Rome, please do not pass up the opportunity to join a Scavi tour. You will not regret it.

Information on how to get tickets for a Scavi tour can be obtained at: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/uffscavi/documents/rc_ic_uffscavi_doc_gen-information_20040112_en.html

If unable to make the visit, a very wonderful virtual tour of the Vatican Necropolis Scavi may be viewed at: http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/necropoli/scavi_english.html

"Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesare'a Philip'pi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do men say that the Son of man is?' And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli'jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.'" (Matt. 16:13-19)

Burning with Love

Yesterday, for some reason, it really hit me how severe the world's hatred for God can be and how powerful God's love is when you would least expect.

I was reading about the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome yesterday on their day of memorial.  In case you don't know the story, this month in 64 A.D. (not C.E.) a great fire broke out burning more than half of Rome.  When the citizens looked to Emperor Nero as the cause in wanting to expand his palace, Nero in return pointed to the Christians (as human haters).  This began a great persecution of the Early Church.

Nero, being absolutely mad and without restraint, did some absolutely unimaginable (you'd think at least) things to Christians all in the name of passing the blame.  To use Christians as human torches to light the way for his chariot at night says enough.  How could these martyrs do it?  How could they bear such evil with such great love?  It was because of fire alright.  The fire of the Holy Spirit consuming their hearts.  A fire that out-burned any torture that could be inflicted upon them. 

How much is the love of God burning in your life?  Because you know, a lot of things have changed in the last 2000 years, but unfortunately the world's disdain for God isn't one of them.