WE ARE THE TEMPLE, THE CHURCH

*HOMILY OF MONDAY OF THE 32ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR

FEAST OF THE DEDICATION OF LATERAN BASILICA*

( _The Lateran Basilica, built by the Emperor Constantine on the Lateran Hill around the year 320 is the cathedral of the Pope who is the bishop of Rome. This Basilica, dedicated to the Saviour , to Saint John the Baptist and to Saint John the Evangelist, is considered the Mother of all the Churches. The feast of its dedication reminds us of our calling to live in deep communion with the successor of Peter, the rock on which Jesus built his church, and the one who confirms us in our faith.)_ Daily Missal

Ezekiel 47:1-2.8-9.12, 1Cor 3:9c
-11.16-17, John 2:13-22

Our today’ s feast calls us to ponder on our inclusion in the church built on the faith of the apostles. It is a call to uphold the unity of the church as drawn from Jesus, the head. The church is heavenly. It must not be tied down to physical structure. It belongs to us who are mere pilgrims here on earth. It is the gate that leads us to heaven, our destined home.

However, a house without an occupant will
dilapidate sooner or later. A temple without temple worshipers is not worthy of the name. All is not about the beauty of a temple but the beauty of character of those who worship in it.

The church is more than the building. What goes on there must not be taken for granted. Jesus rebuked those buying and selling in the temple. He told them,” Take these things away; you shall not make my father’s house a house of trade.”

As Christians, the beauty of our character is the depiction of God’s temple. From within us must flow virtues and all that give life to the world. Ezekiel 47:1-2.8-9.12.

Our body remains the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are God’s building.1Cor 3:9c-11.16-17.

May our life attract people to God’s kingdom that through us God’s kingdom may be established here on earth.

*PRAYER*
O God who who chose to foreshadow for us the heavenly Jerusalem through the sign of your church on earth, grant, we pray, that, by our partaking of this Sacrament, we may be made the temple of your grace and may enter the dwelling place of your glory Through Christ our Lord.