Scripture Reflections for Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Year C, Lectionary 671
God resides and flows from God's temple unto the world. The temple is where the divine connects with humanity. Previously in an actual temple structure, then in the person of Jesus Christ. And now for us, joined to Christ, we too are part of this holy temple. Are we fully allowing God to live in us?
Hate feeling lost on Sundays at church? Searching for a better explanation of the Bible than what you hear from your pastor's sermon? Check out the following collection of audio, video, and text commentaries from various Christian experts for a better understanding of today's scripture that deal with: Anger • Authority • Basilica • Cathedral • Change • Church • Cleanse • Eucharist • Goodness • Herod • History • Institution • Overturn • Religion • Restrict • Sacred • Sacrifice • Salvation • Sign • Table • Temple • Value •
“Jesus is filled with zeal for the reign of God, which operates by a whole different logic, the logic of the Eucharistic table. A table where there is room for everyone and where the poor and the shamed and hurting are not only welcomed but are given a place of honor. A table where power is for service.”
“do we use religion as a cover to foster our selfish interests, as a cover to promote our mundane and political interests?”
“What's your own particular sin, your go-to sin that you do again and again and again. Go up the river and find the source of it…dig deeper until you find out the roots, the source of what's making our sacred space not so sacred”
“So the problem is not really the presence of the money changers in Jerusalem, nor is it clear that they're cheating anyone, but the real issue seems to be where they're doing the selling, that is they're doing it in the temple complex itself”
“But the Lateran Basilica teaches us another important lesson. Over the centuries this church has been ravaged by fire and earthquake. It has been plundered by Vandals and Saracens. It has been restored many times. Today’s feast therefore offers us an image of the Church in constant need of reform and restoration.”
“Why does Church exist? Why do sacraments exist?...To be changed and to be nourished first, in order to do what? Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”
“even good things at times can distract us from facing God. So even something that at one time helped us to get closer to God, if it's become a distraction we must let go of it.”
“That little one year old can grow up to be a man of faith and love. And to do so we must make the personal daily choices that bring us along that journey. But we also must do the communal work of building on God's foundation and clearing out the evil that defiles it.”
“Today's feast reminds us that the Church is not just bricks and mortar. Every church building points to something greater. The unity and holiness of the entire people of God.”
“if we had any understanding, any inclination to know who the Master Builder is and the glory, the beauty, the power of God's handiwork, then we would understand, I want to be a sanctuary, I want to be a dwelling place for that sweet, holy spirit”
“God who made the heavens, the earth, the cosmos, who cannot be contained even by the universe, that same God dwells with us, chooses to dwell with us so that we can enter the house of God”
“You are the encounter space for God”
“When we get angry, is our anger about destruction, collateral damage? Or is it about healing and freedom? If it is about healing and freedom, it is a holy anger.”
“We are the people of God. God's spirit dwells within us but just as a building falls into disrepair so all of us fall into disrepair. And this process of renovation is continual.”