The Living Temple of God (Dedication of the Lateran Basilica)

Today we celebrate something that might sound unusual — the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. You might ask, “Why do we celebrate the anniversary of a church building?”

It's because this basilica, dedicated in the 4th century by Pope Sylvester after Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal, is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome — the Pope himself. It’s called the “mother and head of all churches in the world.” So when we celebrate its dedication, we are really celebrating our unity as one Church — one family of faith built on Christ.

1. God’s Dwelling among His People. The first reading from Ezekiel gives us a beautiful image — a river flowing from the Temple, bringing life wherever it goes.
That’s what the Church is meant to be: a source of life, healing, and renewal for the world.

But that challenges us today. Because when we hear of ghost projects and corruption in public life, we are reminded that the Church must be the opposite of that — transparent, life-giving, honest. We cannot just pray inside temples of stone; we must become living temples that bring truth and justice to society.

2. Jesus, the True Temple and the One Who Cleanses It. In the Gospel, Jesus drives out the money changers and declares, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”

He was speaking about Himself — about His body. Jesus is the true Temple of God’s presence.

But notice: before revealing this truth, He first cleanses the temple. That cleansing must also happen today — in our hearts, in our Church, and in our society.

When greed and dishonesty take root, we are called to let Jesus turn over the tables, to drive out whatever keeps us from being holy and true.

3. We Are God’s Temple. St. Paul reminds us, “You are God’s temple, and the Spirit of God dwells in you.”
So the feast we celebrate today is not about a building in Rome — it’s about you and me.

Each of us is God’s dwelling place. And just like the Lateran Basilica, we too need cleansing, renewal, and restoration.

So let’s allow God’s Spirit to rebuild His temple in us — by living with honesty, compassion, and faith. When we choose truth over deceit, when we stand for what is right despite pressure or fear, we make God’s presence visible again in our world.

Conclusion. The Lateran Basilica stands in Rome as a symbol of the Church’s unity.
But the real temple God wants to dwell in is the human heart — pure, humble, and strong in faith. May this feast remind us that we are not just churchgoers — we are the Church itself.

Let us be living temples where truth, justice, and love can flow like Ezekiel’s river, bringing life to our families, our parishes, and our nation.