Tuesday, November 08, 2016
Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
09 November 2016
Wednesday, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Feast. White.
Ez 47: 1–2, 8-9, 12 / 1 Cor 3: 9c–11, 16-17 / Jn 2: 13-22
Built during the reign of Emperor Constantine and consecrated by Pope St. Sylvester I in 324, the Lateran Basilica is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, the "mother and head of all churches of Rome and of the world" and the venue of five general councils. It is dedicated to Christ the Savior and also to Sts. John the Baptist and John the Apostle and Evangelist.
From the 1st Reading: Ez 47: 1, 8 - 9
The man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple and I saw water coming out from the threshold of the Temple and flowing eastwards. . . . "This water goes to the east, down to the Arabah, and when it flows into the sea of foul-smelling water, the water will become wholesome. Wherever the river flows, swarms of creatures will live in it; fish will be plentiful and the sea water will become fresh."
From the 2nd Reading: 1 Cor 3: 16 – 17
Do you now know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit abides in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, God's temple is holy, and you are this temple.
From the Gospel Reading: Jn 2: 14 – 16
In the Temple court he found merchants selling oxen, sheep and doves, and money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the Temple court, together with the oxen and sheep. . . . "Take all this away and stop turning my Father's house into a marketplace."
Reflection
We celebrate today the Feast of the dedication of the Lateran Arch Basilica in Rome, the cathedral church of the Bishop of Rome and therefore the Mother Church of all churches in Rome and in all the world. As the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome and of the Pope, the Lateran Basilica holds the central place in the Catholic Church, in a way similar to the Temple in Jerusalem as central worship place for Judaism.
Each of the three readings for today uses various images to convey the importance of the Temple as God's holy place and as a key place for worship.
In the first reading, the prophet Ezekiel speaks of a great stream under the Temple. Wherever the waters flow, there is abundant life, whether of fishes or of plants. The water symbolizes God's infinite goodness and grace which bring blessing and life to all.
In the second reading, Paul teaches the faithful in Corinth, ". . . you are God's field and building. . .
Do you not know that you are God's temple? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him. God's temple is holy, and you are this temple." (1 Cor 3: 9, 16-17)
No longer are we simply worshippers of God in the temple, for now we are the temple in which God dwells. We must then treat each other with the love and respect realizing that God dwells in each one of us. We then have to behave such that we express our love of neighbor and of ourselves, realizing that we are temples of God and therefore also holy. If we truly grasp that each one of us is a temple of God, how does this change the way we live and interact with one another?
In the Gospel reading, Jesus is angry that the merchants have made the Temple in Jerusalem, his Father's house, into a marketplace and drives them out of the Temple. The commerce in the Temple area did not respect the Temple as a holy place, as God's house; the commerce in the Temple area did not respect the worshippers in his Father's house. Are we as zealous as Jesus for our churches and holy places?
As we commemorate the dedication of the Lateran Archbasilica in Rome, we should remember that every place of worship is a sign of the spiritual temple which is the Church made up of the people of God who are themselves signs of God's presence, love and grace.
WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:
PRESBYTERAL ORDINATION
Salvador Nocomora
IN MEMORIAM (+)
Helen C. Ong
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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# posted by F O O D F O R T H O U G H T @ 7:43 AM 
