Words of Spirit and Life

Ezekiel 47:1-2. 8-9. 12; Psalm 45 (46):2-3. 5-6. 8-9. R/ v. 5; 1 Corinthians 3:9-11. 16-17

John 2:13-22

Theme: WE MUST BE IN UNITY WITH OUR POPE AND OUR BISHOP

1. Today we celebrate the feast of “The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica” (St. John Lateran). The Lateran Basilica is the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, that is, the Pope. We celebrate this feast as a sign of our unity with the Pope and as a sign of respect for the Pope as the head of the Universal Church. (LH) The readings today tell us about the Church: the Universal Church, the Diocesan Church, the Parish Church, the Community Church, and the Domestic Church.    

    The gospel today tells us that the Church is born from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Church is the body of the Risen Lord. The Risen Lord cannot die anymore! In fact, the Risen Lord destroys death – destroys “the culture of death” (abortion, etc.)! Thus we read in the gospel:

    “Jesus answered, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this sanctuary: are you going to raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body, and when Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the words he had said.” (Jn 2:19-22) 

2. The second reading today tells us that we are the Temple of God; we are the Church of God; the Spirit of God dwells in us. We received the Holy Spirit at Baptism! The Church is not only the Hierarchy, that is, the Pope, the Bishops, and the Priests, but the Church is also the People of God, the Body of Christ, and the Christian Community! Thus we read in the second reading:

    “Didn’t you realize that you were God’s temple and that the Spirit of God was living among you? …. The temple of God is sacred; and you are that temple.” (1 Co 3:16-17)

3. The first reading tells us that it is from the Temple of God, from the Church of God that the Spirit of God will flow into the world, giving life, health and blessings to the whole world! (NJB) Thus we read in the first reading:

    “The angel brought me to the entrance of the Temple, where a stream came out from under the Temple threshold and flowed eastwards, since the Temple faced east. He said, ‘This water flows east down to the Arabah (River Jordan/NJB) and to the sea (Dead Sea); and flowing into the sea it makes its waters wholesome. Wherever the river flows, all living creatures teeming in it will live. Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows. Along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails; they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal.’” (Ezk 47:1. 8-9. 12)  

4. The responsorial psalm tells us that God is with his Church (CSB/NJB/CCB), and that God gives life, blessings and joy to his Church. (CSB/HCSB/CCB)

    Thus the original refrain of the original psalm: “The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” (Ps 45(46):8/stanza 3a)

    And thus the response of the responsorial psalm: “The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, the holy place where the Most High dwells.” (Ps 45 (46):5) 

    And it is this life, blessings and joy of God that the Church in turn gives to the whole world!

5. Again, today we celebrate the feast of “The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica” (St. John Lateran) as a sign of our unity with our Pope and as a sign of respect for our Pope as head of the Universal Church!

6. Today in the Eucharist, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we eat his body and drink his blood, and the Risen Lord will give us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help us be united with our Pope and Bishop, the Holy Spirit will renew our Parish Church, and the Holy Spirit will help us give life, blessings and joy to the whole world! 

                                                                                                                                    Amen!  

Fr. Nicholas Ong, Holy Trinity Church, Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia.

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