💖 HOMILY - NOVEMBER 9 💖

FEAST OF THE DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA

First Reading - Ezekiel 47:1-12

Gospel - John 2:13-22

All religious groups have their temples or places of worship. Temples stand as important symbol of any religion. Every temple is recognised as the place of worship and sacredness. However, the readings of today invite us to go beyond the structure and see the temple present in the person of Christ.

In the first reading, the prophet Ezekiel depicts the symbolism of hope for the people of Israel in Exile. The imagery of perennial stream, issuing from under the threshold of the temple and falling into the Dead Sea, is depicted as the source of life and nourishment for trees and plants along the sides and aquatic animals in the stream. The imagery of the river even transforms the nature of the Dead Sea by giving a fresh life to it. The vision of the prophet is replete with profound meaning of hope and encouragement. The people are encouraged by the prophet to remain steadfast in their hope because it's through God life and hope comes forth. The prophet means to press this point down that it's God who is the source of life and hope just as the river running through the land gives life to the trees, plants and aquatic animals so is the God who is the source of life, just as the river brings a fresh life in the Dead Sea, which seems impossible, so is the God who makes impossible things possible.

In the gospel, we come accross dispute between Jesus and Jews over changing the temple premises into commercial area and place of commotion. The temple had also turned into the place of exploitation of the poor and pilgrims who purchased the animals and doves for the sacrifice.

Jesus overturns the tables of money changers and venders as he saw the commercialization of worship. By the act of cleansing of the temple, Jesus demonstrates that the worship, rested on commercialization and exploitation, is not pleasing to God. Jesus demands a reversal of such kind of worship.

Dear friends, the temple of God is sacred for that nourishes us spiritually and fills us with the presence of God. As the prophet tells in the first reading that the temple is the source of life and hope so the gospel complements the claim of the prophet as Jesus himself claims that 'he is the temple' (destroy this temple and I will raise it up in three days). This means that Jesus is the source of life and hope for us. He gives us eternal life through his presence in the Church (Which is his body), Sacraments and the Sacred Scriptures.

Jesus demonstrates by cleansing the temple that the right worship should avoid any kind of commercialization and exploitation of the vulnerable. The temple of God should be the place of worship and unity among people.

The feast of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica reminds us that we are united in Christ through the Holy Father. The Lateran Basilica is the seat of the Holy Father. This stands as a symbol of unity and universality that breaks any kind of disparity and exploitation.