A reflection on the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Dear pilgrims of Hope, today we gather to celebrate the feast of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica, a significant event initiated by Pope Sylvester I in 314 AD.
In our first reading, we are reminded of the power of the temple, the dwelling place of God, which brings forth life-giving waters flowing from its threshold. Wherever this water flows, it transforms and enlivens, echoing the creation narrative from Genesis. Coming from Babylonian exile a lot of hopelessness was lingering because the holy places had been destroyed. God provides a new temple, where his presence is the source of blessings and even the water that flows.
Today, as we celebrate the dedication of this sacred space, we are also invited to renew our own dedication to God in our baptism. For at baptism we were set apart and consecrated to God by the Holy Spirit. Thus we are blessed to be the temple and dwelling of God ourselves, called to be life-giving and renewing in Christ. A blessings to cherish and celebrate.
Yet, if we reflect deeply, we must recognize that the opposite may sometimes be true in our lives. Therefore, let us turn to prayer and repentance, committing ourselves to being true abodes of God. Let us renew our families to be places where God dwells, where healing and transformation occur, and where our first encounters with Him take place.
St. Paul reminds us that the foundation of each temple must be Christ. We are co-workers in the Lord’s vineyard, and having Christ as our foundation means relying on Him for our strength and life. May our families, our country, and the world be established on this unshakable foundation of Christ, rather than the fleeting whims of society. With the help and courage of Christ, let us cleanse the temples that are our hearts, marriages, families, communities, churches, and nations, so that Christ, not the transient distractions of life, becomes our cornerstone.
Establishing Christ as our foundation requires us to dismantle and remove anything that stands against Him—be it our lifestyle choices, principles, or societal norms. Like Christ, let our zeal for the house of God consume us, ensuring that our minds, hearts, and lives do not become marketplaces but instead reflect the sanctity of His temple. By living lives worthy of our dedication and consecration, we must not separate what God has unified: the sanctification of the temple and the very bricks that comprise it. Jesus is our eternal temple, inviting us to prepare and cleanse ourselves for eternal life with Him.
Let us not approach our relationship with God through the lens of profit and loss; our prayers and worship should not be governed by worldly principles. We must always remember that we are temples of the Holy Spirit — not just during Holy Mass but at all times. Let us live, serve, and raise our families with this profound awareness.
Finally, let us take care of our House of Worship, our churches, ensuring they truly reflect and honour the title of the Temple of the Holy Spirit. May we commit ourselves to nurturing these sacred spaces, making them deserving of the divine presence they house.
Amen.