Read Ezekiel 47:1-2,8-9,12, Ps. 46, 1 Corinthians 3:9-11,16-17, John 2:13-22
“He spoke of the temple of his body.” (John 2:21)
Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica which is one of the great churches in Rome. Our celebration today affords us the opportunity to reflect on the meaning of “Dedication” and its impact on our relationship with God.
To say a building or any object at all is dedicated to God is to say such can never be used for any other purpose other than for God. This is because, by the act of dedication, the presence of God has been invoked upon such.
A dedicated Church building is not any building, it is a place to meet God, a place to pray, a place of security and peace. Walking into a dedicated Church fully conscious of God’s presence is like stepping into heaven. The beauty of a dedicated evokes the heart to prayer and deepens the faith of the believer.
Ezekiel describes the house of God as a place from which flows grace, power, life, health and wealth like a river. In today’s Gospel passage, we hear Jesus say: “you shall not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” We must avoid using the house of God as a place of business.
As much as we must respect the house of God, we must never forget that our very bodies are also dedicated temples of God. This is exactly the point St. Paul emphasizes in today’s second reading: “You are God’s building… For God’s temple is holy, and that temple you are.”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, deepen my respect for your temple. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Dedication of the Lateran Basilica – Feast. Bible Study: Ezekiel 47:1-2,8-9,12, Ps. 46, 1 Corinthians 3:9-11,16-17, John 2:13-22).