Homily of the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dedication of the Lateran Basilica – Feast
By Fr Oluwafemi Victor Orilua CSSp
Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12, 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17, John 2:13-22
Today the Church of Christ celebrates the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the mother and head of all churches in the world. This feast makes one thing clear; that the Church is not merely a physical structure but a people who belong to the household of God marked by special love which is born of faith in one Lord.
We often sing in our celebrations, “Behold among men, the dwelling place of God shall be his people, and he shall be their Lord and God”. God lives in us, because we are his people.
The first reading from the prophet Ezekeil talks about the living water which flows from the temple and gives life. “This water flows towards the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish.”
A Christian is not toxic. A Christian is an agent of joy and harmony. He or she is prolife. And must not promote any policy that diminish human dignity in whatever form. Our presence should invoke healing and calm wherever we go. “So, everything will live where the river goes” As people who share and carries the grace of Christ, our sanctity should not only be a display in church gatherings, but seen in us wherever we go, because we must make the church present wherever we go.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul said, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple” When we misrepresent Christ through our lifestyle, we destroy the very temple that we are. When we cause division in the Church, we bring trouble upon ourselves, for we lead astray many souls who come seeking solace. And when we turn the Church into a place of business, we tear down what we are called to build.
Moreover, when in anger, the Lord whipped those money changers in the temple, they frown at him and he said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” They never knew he was referring to his body. They would later understand this after his resurrection. Many a time, we see the church as a mere social gathering and we bring all sorts of practices into it, forgetting that the church is a spiritual family. We bring the world into the church and equally drag the church into the world that we barely know the difference. Whereas we need to strike the balance, majorly by our lifestyle. The world must know that we are ambassadors of Christ.
He came to save humanity, and we must keep up with this special ministry. As we celebrate this feast, may we always be people of love and through us, may the world see healing, deliverance and fullness of life, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
