HOMILY FOR THURSDAY; 31ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR A 

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY; 31ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR A 

THEME: DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA 

By: MSGR GERALD M. MUSA YOU ARE GOD’S TEMPLE

Ezekiel 47:1-2.8-9.12; 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11.16-17; John 2:13-22

The inscription on the Lateran Basilica in Rome reads “Omnium Urbis et Orbis Ecclesiarum Mater et Caput” (“The Mother and Head of All the Churches of the City and the World”). It was the first Church building and a symbol of the common history of Christians. Before this building, the followers of Jesus were under the yoke of persecution and worshipped in houses, open spaces, and catacombs. This Church was publicly consecrated on 9th November 324, was the residence of many Popes, and was the venue of various ecumenical councils. As we celebrate this great edifice, we also recall that Jesus teaches us a new concept of the temple and Church. He referred to his body as the temple that will be destroyed and rebuilt in three days (John 2:19).

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Therefore, the Church, as the body of Christ, consists of people and not only a physical building. St. Paul writes, “Brethren, you are God’s building” and “You are the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 3:9; 6:19). This means that the Spirit of God does not only dwell in the physical place of worship but also dwells in each person. When Jesus cleansed the temple, he was teaching his followers the importance of cleaning every sacred space, including our hearts. Are we always conscious of the Spirit of God who dwells in each of us?

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