Celebrating the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Ezk. 47:1-2.8-9.12, 1 Cor. 3:9-11.16-17, Jn 2:13-22. Today's feast reminds us that we were vessels of God’s wrath; but reborn to become vessels of God's mercy. Our first birth brought death to us, but our rebirth restores us to life and merited the privilege of being 'Temple of Christ'. In today's readings, we find the theme of 'Replacement': where the sacrifice of the Cross replaces the sacrifice of animals and victims, the sacrifice of beast is replaced by the sweet fragrance of the sacrifice of 'self'. Just as Jesus overturned the table of the money changers in today's Gospel, let us allow Jesus to overturn our ‘tables’ of pride, selfishness, meaningless rituals and profit-oriented religious celebrations and offer ourselves to God. God dwells principally in the soul made in His own image and likeness. As Paul puts it: "Didn’t you realise that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives among you?" (1 Cor. 3:16-17).

Let us not destroy the living 'Temple of God" in ourselves by works of evil. We are challenged to always prepare our hearts to be as immaculately clean as we expect the Church to be. Let us not soil our souls with the filth of sins. Just as we want the Church to be full of light, God also wishes that the light of good works shine in us, so that He who dwells in the Heavens will be glorified in our body. Just as the water that comes from the sanctuary makes all living creatures teeming in it live, according to the first reading, so should we be source of life to others.

May the Lord sanctify His Vineyard - the Church, watch over it with care and cultivate it with love, until it fills the world and is wonderful to see! Amen!! Good morning and have a glorious day!!!