Greetings on this the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Readings: Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17; Jn 2:13-22
Franciscan Media Reflection
Unlike the commemorations of other Roman churches, this anniversary is a feast. The dedication of a church is a feast for all its parishioners. In a sense, St. John Lateran is the parish church of all Catholics, because it is the pope’s cathedral. This church is the spiritual home of the people who are the Church.
Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/dedication-of-saint-john-lateran-basilica/
Summary
We have a home. We’ve been invited to stay and receive the blessings of the Lord. The temple home brings fresh water so every creature may live. Providing trees that never fade, fruit of every kind, as for food and medicine. We must take care of our spiritual home. We are to avoid profane act of turning the House of God into a marketplace of acquisition, alliance and advantage.
Reflection
You are God’s building. Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.
Jesus will not standby as you destroy yourself. He will make a whip out of cords and drove out of the temple all these things that do not belong. Let him help you!
Personal Reflection
As we go about building our lives, each one must be careful how we build upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.
Sacred Readings
Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110924.cfm
First Reading
The angel brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing out.
Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine.
Responsorial
The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
Second Reading
Brothers and sisters: You are God’s building.
Gospel Acclamation (see 2 Chr 7:16)
I have chosen and consecrated this house, says the Lord, that my name may be there forever.
Gospel
Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry