Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection November 09, 2024
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
09th November 2024 (Saturday)
Psalter: Proper
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
In those days: The angel brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple towards the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me round on the outside to the outer gate that faces towards the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side. And he said to me, “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. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”
Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 (R. 5)
R/. The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, the holy place, the dwelling of the Most High.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17
Brethren: You are God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 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.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. I have chosen and consecrated this house, says the Lord, that my name may be there for ever.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : John 2:13-22
The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all, out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Guidelines: Temple is a holy ambience of God’s special presence and grace. It is different from other places and times by its sense of holiness and serenity
1. Today we are living in a dominant culture of externality and pomposity. There is a decline of the sense of interiority and simplicity. Consequently, we see huge churches with so much decoration and beauty. No doubt that the holy place of God must be splendid and elegant because the God of glory dwells there.
2. But what is essential is not the beauty or decoration or splendor or pomp. All these externals must help for creating an ambience of devotion and prayer. Temple should evoke in those present a sense of the holy, the nearness of God, God’s assurance and comfort, His light and guidance, His nourishment and strength, His direction and serenity, and also unity and fraternity.
3. The prophet Ezekiel indicates this divine presence and action through the symbolism of the temple water. It has the efficacious power to refresh, enliven, nourish and heal. Therefore, our temples should be not only magnificent structures and huge spaces for the animation of some ceremonies and organisation of some events and celebrations. Much more they should be abodes of unity, surrender, and serenity, and springs of strength and renewal of souls and relationships.
4. A serious question tag hangs around us about the sacredness of our churches and temples. It is not untruth that at times our churches become “houses of trade”. There is a lot of noise and commotion. Market values and Business spirit seem to reign there. Many go to church and go away without even an ounce of difference and change. They just mechanically go through the motions. They take care that nothing touches them.
5. Perhaps the reason is given in the first reading. We have lost the sense of interiority and personal sanctity. Many have lost sight of the truth that “we are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in us.” Many fail to look into this interior castle of God and abode of sanctity. It is these personal temples that make the one community of God’s temple.
Practice: We need to reawaken this triple sanctity of the temple, the community, and the human person. When our communities and each of us become more holy, our temples become truly houses of God
