HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF THE DEDICATION OF JOHN LATERAN BASILICA IN ROME
HOMILY THEME: A PLACE OF WORSHIP
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
(Jn. 2:13-22) Feast of the Dedication of John Lateran Basilica in Rome.
Today is the Feast of the Dedication of John Lateran Church in Rome. It is the parish church of Rome and possesses the highest dignity of being church. It is a church where much of the significant councils were held and significant church dogmas were born. One can feel the holiness and prestige it has immediately at the entrance and then on the walls. The ambience is full of memories. We thank the Lord for this place of worship.
We designate places for worship even if God may be worshipped anywhere. The church encourages gathering of people as friends and a community. Even during the time of the Lord Jesus, temples serve as a place to seek God and pray together as a people. It was a designated place to meet God and experience God’s presence.
While we give importance to the church as a building, we must also be aware of our bodies as temples of the Spirit. Thus, we must try to make it worthy for the Lord to dwell. We must have respect for our bodies and our persons and others too. We were created in the image and likeness of God. Each one of us possesses and carries God’s image. “Whatever you did to the least of your brothers and sisters, you did unto me,” says the Lord. No matter what we see externally and physically, our faith teaches that the other bears God’s image.
And there is also the Church as a community of believers. While salvation is a personal thing, it is at the same time, communal. We are our brother’s keeper. Yes, we are concerned with our own salvation but we are concerned with others as well. In fact, we need the others to be saved. Doing acts of charity is not done only to self. It is best done to others, specially those in need. As a Church, we share the same faith, worship one God, relies in one Spirit, and hopes to enter the Kingdom as ONE.
Let us marvel at our churches, God’s dwelling place. Let us maintain the holiness of our persons with the help of the Holy Spirit. And let us care for each other’s goodness for a holy Church.
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