My dear beloved brothers and sisters,
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!
Every year in November I do a blessings of the graves. This year I missed it because of the fundraiser for Seton House of Prayer in Kelowna. Our two Deacons, Peter and Dale, did it on my behalf. A cemetery visit is a spiritual practice and a traditional act of love, in honoring and respecting our deceased loved ones by praying or simply sitting in quiet remembrance with thoughts of the natural cycle of life and death; the impact of their lives on families and communities. A visit can also inspire us to reflect on questions such as; how do I want to be remembered after I am gone? Am I focused on what is truly important? What can I do to live a more purposeful life?
This weekend we celebrate the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral church of the Pope in Rome, mother of all the churches. Our readings this weekend reminds us that the real and true dwelling place of God is not made of stone but is found in the hearts of His people, in whom the Spirit of God lives and works. The book of Ezekiel, reflects God’s power to bring life, healing, and restoration through a miraculous river flowing from the temple. The river’s mission is to transform creation, bringing life and health to all that it reaches, and its power is immense, transforming even the Dead Sea. As Christians we connect this vision with Jesus, who is the ultimate source of living water and whose body is the true temple that brings salvation and rebirth through His death and resurrection.
In St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he uses two distinct but related metaphors: the Church as “God’s building” and the believer’s body as the “temple of God.” Both images emphasize the necessity of Jesus Christ as the foundation and the sanctity of the community of believers. This means that every aspect of the Church’s life and teachings must rest on Jesus Christ alone, not on human wisdom. The account of Jesus cleansing the temple in the Gospel, invites us to reflect on His divine authority, righteous anger, and the fulfillment of the temple’s purpose in His own body.
The church, as the Body of Christ, is also understood as the new temple in our second reading. We, as a collective body of believers, are the new community in whom God’s presence dwells. Jesus validates His words and reveals that the true dwelling place of God is no longer a physical building, but in Jesus Christ Himself. AMEN
God Loves You! ~ Fr. NEIL