Feast of Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (Cycle A, Year II)
Community Word: Eternal life is for those who trust and believe in Jesus Christ.
Theme: We trust and believe in Jesus Christ when we live by the word He has spoken.
Promise: “Wherever the river flows, every sort of living, creatures that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh.” (Ez 47:9)
Reflection:
Throughout the ages, we have come to understand “temple” in two ways: our physical bodies, as the living temple of God and the church where we gather together to worship God. Since then as now, Christians construct buildings for divine worship. These visible churches are not simply gathering places but signify and make visible the Church living in this place, the dwelling of God with men reconciled and united in Christ. More than a physical structure, the Church is the gathering of God’s people, all of whom together form the dwelling place of his Spirit.
Today we celebrate the feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Pope as bishop of Rome. It is called the “mother church” of Rome and of all Catholic churches in the world. It was built during Constantine’s reign and was consecrated by Pope St. Sylvester I in 324. The Church gives importance to this church as a structure because as such, it is a visible symbol of the universal Church. It calls us to look toward the house of God in the New Jerusalem toward which the earthly church is in pilgrimage.
In the first reading, the prophet Ezekiel tells of the vision of a wonderful and superabundant stream flowing from the temple to restore the fertility of the once dry land, symbolic of the restoration of the lost paradise, thus looking towards its salvation from curse (dry land) to blessing (abundant water). On the cross, Jesus established his church as blood and water flowed from the temple of his body. In this healing flow, Ezekiel’s vision of the New Jerusalem is fulfilled.
In the second reading, St. Paul asked the people of Corinth: “Do you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1Cor 3:16). We are that temple, and from us can flow the healing and transforming power of the Spirit. As Church, the Body of Christ, we are made up of ordinary members, who are built on the extraordinary foundation of Jesus Christ and the apostles and prophets, we are God’s own building. Now through the Holy Spirit, a great river flows from the church – the people of God, and brings life everywhere it goes. As heirs to the Kingdom, we are called to be responsible for its physical as well as spiritual well-being.
In the Gospel, Jesus’ action in cleansing the temple recalls the warning of the prophet Jeremiah to the priests that the temple had become a den of thieves and prophesied that God would destroy the temple, the sanctuary at Shiloh. Jesus’ action signifies that the messianic purification of the temple is now at hand and that his anger and his zeal are understandable as he is not only a prophet but also the awaited Messiah. They asked for a sign to show his source of authority, instead, he tells them: “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (Jn 2:19). John points out the temple Jesus is referring to is his own body. The Jews will eventually destroy it but Jesus “will raise it up” by his resurrection, wherein another temple is formed: the Church, which is the Body of Christ and the temple of the Holy Spirit.
To enter into the house of God, we must cross a threshold, which symbolizes passing from the world wounded by sin to the world of the new Life to which all men are called. The visible church is a symbol of the Father’s house toward which the People of God is journeying and where the father “will wipe every tear from their eyes.”(Rv.21:4).
As Jesus is the one who has cleansed our own temples we should take care of them by keeping them hallowed in our moments of frequent prayers, entering into real communion with God, stepping out of whatever “marketplaces” we find ourselves in. As baptized Christians we know what a great privilege it is to be a member of the living church, the Body of Christ. We have all been adopted into God’s family and like all the people of God, and the saints, each of us has been commissioned by the Lord to go out and proclaim the good news of the Gospel.
Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s spoken word, each of us are empowered to reach out in love to those around us in our mission fields – when we build houses for the needy, do our prison ministry, work in soup kitchens feeding the hungry, shepherd the lost, comfort the grieving, come in worship each Sunday – we unite with all to build God’s kingdom on and earth we become part of the universal church. The lowliest of us as well as the most renowned have been called to play a special role in God’s mission. With our belief and trust as Christ’s witnesses, we are to be faithful to our call.
Prayer:
Father, we praise you for looking upon your lowly servants and making us living stones in your church, the dwelling place of your Spirit. Unite us in your Son, Jesus, so that we might effectively testify to your love and mercy in our family, in our Community and in the world. Bring your living water to each of us in your church so that through us revival and healing will flow to all who are experiencing dryness in spirit. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
1. In being temple of the Holy Spirit, what is the active role you should undertake in being a member in the BLD Community?
2. God has spoken thru His Church, how consistent are you in honoring and obeying the truth that the Church preaches thru its pastoral shepherds?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
November 9, 2014 (Sun) Ez 47:1-2,8-9,12/Ps 46:2-3,5-6,8-9/Cor 3:9c-11,16-17/Jn 2:13-22
November 10, 2014 (Mon) Ti 1:1-9/Ps 24:1-2,3-4,5-6/Lk 17:1-6
November 11, 2014 (Tues) Ti 2:1-8,11-14/Ps 37:3-4,18,23,27,29/Lk 17:7-10
November 12, 2014 (Wed) Ti 3:1-7/Ps 23:1-3,3-4,5,6/Lk 17:11-19
November 13, 2014 (Thurs) Phlm 7-20/Ps 146:7,8-9,9-10/Lk 17:20-25
November 14, 2014 (Fri) 2Jn 4-9/Ps 119:1,2,10,11,17,18/Lk 17:26-37
November 15, 2014 (Sat) 3Jn 5-8/Ps 112:1-2,3-4,5-6/Lk 18:1-8
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
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