Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Psalm 46; 1Cor. 3:9-11, 16-17; John 2:13-22
In the first reading Ezekiel speaks of a stream that flows from the Temple which gives life in abundance wherever it flows. The second reading speaks of our body as the temple of God through the Spirit we have received. Thus, we can speak of the temple in two ways; the Temple as God’s house and our body as the Temple of God. More so, the temple is where God dwells with his people throughout the biblical story. So if the people of God are the temple, that means it is through these people that God reaches the world. We are the temple that carries God’s presence to the world!
In the Gospel, Christ did not allow the people to dishonor the Temple. He says; “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a market-place!” Beloved, the Temple is the Church, it is the house of God and as Ezekiel noted; it is the source of life for us. Therefore, it should not be dishonoured or disrespected. Again, our body is also the Temple of God; it should equally not be dishonoured or disrespected. In addition, today’s celebration of the Dedication of St John Lateran’s reminds of the sacredness and sanctity of the house of God. We must not turn it into a market place. We must guide against abuses that surfacing in the Church all in the name of harvest and bazaar. Lastly, in celebrating today’s feast we also celebrate the dedication of the local churches around us.
May we truly respect and revere the house of God and may we not defile our bodies. Father, forgive us for the sins of pride, rebellion, disobedience, selfishness, hatred, and idolatry in your house. Lord, forgive us for half-hearted worship. Forgive us for disrespecting your name and treating your house irreverently. Amen.
LET US PRAY
O God, who from living and chosen stones prepare an eternal dwelling for your majesty, increase in your Church the spirit of grace you have bestowed, so that by new growth your faithful people may build up the heavenly Jerusalem. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
