HOMILY OF 31ST SATURDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: “Stop turning my Father’s house into a market place.”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
Ezekiel 47:1-2,8-9,12, Ps. 46:2-3,5-6,8-9, John 2:13-22
Celebrating the dedication of the Lateran Basilica affords us an opportunity to reflect on a variety of things. For example: what is a Basilica, Temple or Church? The first reading reminds us that the Temple is God’s dwelling on earth; a place of meeting between God and His people; a place from which blessings and providence flow to humanity and creation as exemplified by the stream that came from under the Temple threshold and gave health, freshness, newness, abundance and life to everything in its way, including the waters into which it flowed.
ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY OF 31ST SATURDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME
The Psalm reminds us that as God’s dwelling, the Temple or Church must be a place of refuge and strength for the weak, the vulnerable and meek, and all who rely on God for protection. The gospel reminds us that a Temple or Church is a sacred place and must be treated and respected as such. This is a big challenge to us in our times because some of our Temples and Churches have been turned into market places. Simony and crafts of all kinds have crept into Christian worship. One wonders what Jesus would do if he were to come into our churches today. We must note very importantly therefore that God’s presence is what makes the Temple/Church holy, sacred and valuable. And that presence must be first and foremost in the hearts of believers. God dwells in human hearts, not in rods, blocks, paintings, beautiful architecture, cement and pews. If God does not find dwelling in believers’ hearts, then the physical structure that we call Temple or Church is useless. The beauty of our churches must first find expression in the beauty of believers’ hearts and lives. Finally, St. Paul reminds us, in the second reading, that we are temples of the Holy Spirit; temples of God, in whom God dwells. Those who are convinced of this Pauline observation would treat their bodies and lives with greater dignity and decorum, cultivating a constant consciousness of God’s indwelling in them. They must also take seriously their roles in continuing to build and sustain God’s presence in the People of God, the Church, especially since they are part of that building. As we commemorate the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, the oldest public Church in Rome (consecrated in 324AD), with the Holy Father as its Bishop, a Basilica that is considered the “mother church of all churches in the world,” let us always be reminded that we are church, the People of God, and that God must find a dwelling in us as we build and use our Churches, Cathedrals and Basilicas as places of encounter with our loving and merciful God.
Lord, we are your people; sanctify us and renew your dwelling in us. Amen.
FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>>