Martin Madalai Muthu csc –
Readings: Ezek 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Jn 2:13-22
Today we celebrate the Feast of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. Liturgy of the day invites us to know the importance of the place of worship. Temple was understood as the dwelling place of God for many religions. It is the heavenly sanctuary of God on the earth.
In the first reading, we see the spring of water flowing from the temple and wherever the water flows new life emerges. Many creatures on both sides of the river benefit from it. In the Gospel, Jesus identifies himself as a temple saying, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Jesus assures that he is the temple where the spring of grace gushes forth for all people. All those who are open to receive him experience the grace of God. Others remain in a barren state due to their resistance. We Christians, through our Baptism and confirmation, became the temples of the Holy Spirit. Often, we fail to recognize ourselves as God’s dwelling place because of our worldly living. Being in the world, we become the dwelling place of all sorts of information, unholy thoughts, and indifference to our fellow brothers and sisters.
Each of us is called to be holy, and holiness lies in the spirit of Jesus. This realization helps us to no longer look at the brick and mortar structures as a holy place. Rather, we look at everyone around us as a living temple of God and we begin to treat everyone as someone sent by God for betterment of our lives. We are invited to realize that we are the living temple of Christ. Therefore, we need to make God visible to others through our thoughts, words and deeds.