HOMILY
Preached at Holy Sepulcher Parish on August 17 and 18, 2013 for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C at the 6:00PM (Vigil), 8:00AM and 10:30AM Masses
Christ in Majesty at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC
When you visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. you cannot help but notice the mosaic behind the altar. It is made up of about 3 million tiles, covers 3,600 square feet, and the top of it is 15 stories above you. It is called Christ in Majesty and at one time it was the largest mosaic of Jesus in the world. But the size is not what gets your attention, what gets your attention is that Jesus is portrayed differently than how we normally see him. Christ sits on the Throne of Judgment draped in a red garment that exposes the bulging muscles in his arm and chest, a flaming halo surrounds his blond hair, and his blues eyes seem to pierce right through you, into your very soul, as he sternly gazes at you. Continue reading
Deacon DSM 