Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
“The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!” (Responsorial Psalm 46)
Today, Jesus invites us to live in him because he is the living water that flows and brings life and freshness to the soul. “Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes, the sea shall be made fresh.” When his hearers ask, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus replies that he will destroy and rebuild the temple in three days—meaning the temple of their hearts, but not the temple that took 46 years to build.
Jesus Christ wants to change the temple of our hearts so he can be the foundation of our life and the source of our faith. Jesus desires that our heart flows with the living water that will strengthen our lives. Jesus Christ should be at the center of our hearts because he is the source of living water. Any person who tries to live without the living Christ must die in sin. Nothing can destroy our spiritual temple more than our sins, so we must ask God for his grace; salvation is not earned through our own works. Jesus redeemed us and made us a new temple in our hearts through his life, death, and resurrection. God’s work in his great love and mercy is our redemption from our sins. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing, it is a gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
The readings today also warn us: “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy” (1 Corinthians 3:17). Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, so Jesus would change us and bring close to us his overflowing heart that gives life and mercy to all.
Reflection by Jonathan, seminarian
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections