Sunday Reflections

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

Today we celebrate not just a building, but what that building represents: the unity, holiness, and mission of the Church. The Lateran Basilica, the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome (The Pope), stands as a symbol of the universal Church—one body in Christ, built on the foundation of the apostles.

In the Gospel (John 2:13–22), Jesus drives out the money changers from the temple, declaring, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” At first glance, He seems to speak of the physical temple, but He is pointing to something deeper—His own body, the true temple of God. This moment reminds us that the Church is not just stone and mortar, but the living Body of Christ, made up of each of us.

 St. Paul echoes this in the second reading (1 Corinthians 3:9c–11, 16–17): “You are God’s building... Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” This is both a gift and a challenge. We are called to be holy, to be places where God’s presence is visible in the world.

As we reflect on this feast, let us ask:

·         Do I treat my own body and soul as a temple of the Holy Spirit?

·         Do I contribute to building up the Church through love, service, and unity?

·         Do I recognize the sacredness of our community, even in its imperfections?

May this celebration renew our reverence for the Church—not just the buildings, but the people—and inspire us to be living stones in God’s holy temple.

https://www.archtoronto.org/stewardship