Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17
Jn 2:13-22

A United Church

This Sunday, we celebrate the dedication of the oldest Church in the West, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the diocese of Rome, the Pope’s cathedral. 

Our first reaction to this Feast may be to ask, “What has this got to do with me or with people in the far-flung corners of the world? After all isn’t it a feast of a church building in Rome?”  Yes, we do celebrate a physical building that we may never set eyes upon, but this Feast is about much more, and with some reflection we can see that this Feast does have something important to say to us today.

The basilica of St. John Lateran is the cathedral church of the bishop of Rome, the Pope. It has the title “Mother and Head of all the Churches in the City and in the World.” This is because this Basilica symbolizes something very important: the unity of the church.

Our Christian communities throughout the world are built on one foundation, which is Christ. By celebrating this feast, we show we are united with the Pope and with each other. The Church is not primarily a building but a community. St Paul tells the community at Corinth in the second reading, “You are God’s building.” We are the place where God wishes to dwell, so that we may reveal God’s loving presence to others.

Being a community of love is difficult in our world today that is so fractured with the breakdown of the family, multiple wars, poisonous political rhetoric, disrespect for life, domestic and international terrorism, etc. Being a loving church is the responsibility of each one of us. Even the institutional church is fractured by abuse and/or dishonesty.

Love is the key to a united and healthy body. Love is the key that can overcome divisions and stimulate life and warmth where relationships have been severed. Love revives and restores relationships. St. Paul tells us that the purpose of the church is to create opportunities for people to encounter Christ, and to receive His love and healing.  We can do this more effectively if we are united and faithful     

St, Paul makes all this clear in the second reading for Sunday,

Brothers and sisters: You are God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder. I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ. Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy. ( 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17)

How do you show others that you are Christ’s presence in the church and world?

In what ways does the Spirit of God dwell in you?