The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, invite us to recall the places where we have connected with the Spirit of God.
In the reading from the Prophet Ezekiel, he envisions water flowing from the Temple.
* [47:1–12] The life and refreshment produced wherever the Temple stream flows evoke the order and abundance of paradise (cf. Gn 1:20–22; 2:10–14; Ps 46:5) and represent the coming transformation Ezekiel envisions for the exiles and their land. Water signifies great blessings and evidence of the Lord’s presence (cf. Jl 2:14).
* [47:8] The sea: the Dead Sea, in which nothing can live. This vision of the Temple stream which transforms places of death into places of life is similar in purpose to the oracle of dry bones in 37:1–14: it offers the exiles hope for the future. (Ezekiel, CHAPTER 47 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 46 praises God’s Defence of His City and People.
* [Psalm 46] A song of confidence in God’s protection of Zion with close parallels to Ps 48. The dominant note in Ps 46 is sounded by the refrain, The LORD of hosts is with us (Ps 46:8, 12). The first strophe (Ps 46:2–4) sings of the security of God’s presence even in utter chaos; the second (Ps 46:5–8), of divine protection of the city from its enemies; the third (Ps 46:9–11), of God’s imposition of imperial peace. (Psalms, PSALM 46 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul outlines the role of God’s Ministers.
* [3:10–11] There are diverse functions in the service of the community, but each individual’s task is serious, and each will stand accountable for the quality of his contribution.
* [3:17] Holy: i.e., “belonging to God.” The cultic sanctity of the community is a fundamental theological reality to which Paul frequently alludes (cf. 1 Cor 1:2, 30; 6:11; 7:14). (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus Cleanses the Temple.
* [2:13–22] This episode indicates the post-resurrectional replacement of the temple by the person of Jesus.
* [2:13] Passover: this is the first Passover mentioned in John; a second is mentioned in Jn 6:4; a third in Jn 13:1. Taken literally, they point to a ministry of at least two years.
* [2:14–22] The other gospels place the cleansing of the temple in the last days of Jesus’ life (Matthew, on the day Jesus entered Jerusalem; Mark, on the next day). The order of events in the gospel narratives is often determined by theological motives rather than by chronological data.
* [2:14] Oxen, sheep, and doves: intended for sacrifice. The doves were the offerings of the poor (Lv 5:7). Money-changers: for a temple tax paid by every male Jew more than nineteen years of age, with a half-shekel coin (Ex 30:11–16), in Syrian currency. See note on Mt 17:24.
* [2:17] Ps 69:10, changed to future tense to apply to Jesus.
* [2:19] This saying about the destruction of the temple occurs in various forms (Mt 24:2; 27:40; Mk 13:2; 15:29; Lk 21:6; cf. Acts 6:14). Mt 26:61 has: “I can destroy the temple of God…”; see note there. In Mk 14:58, there is a metaphorical contrast with a new temple: “I will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another not made with hands.” Here it is symbolic of Jesus’ resurrection and the resulting community (see Jn 2:21 and Rev 21:2). In three days: an Old Testament expression for a short, indefinite period of time; cf. Hos 6:2.
* [2:20] Forty-six years: based on references in Josephus (Jewish Wars 1, 21, 1 #401; Antiquities 15, 11, 1 #380), possibly the spring of A.D. 28. Cf. note on Lk 3:1. (John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
We often need time and distance to understand. In the midst of current events, we cannot always grasp their connection with the past and the meaning for the present that is waiting to be discovered. Like the disciples, we need to pause and remember, waiting patiently for understanding while we trust in the goodness of God.
Lord, help us to persevere through difficulties as we wait for transformation, restoration, and healing for our brokenness. You renew us in baptism, and you sustain us with the sacraments. Help us to be grateful for the gifts you bestow all around us, especially those who are being formed with us, in whom your Spirit also dwells. Thanks be to God. (Morse & Francis, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus recommends the foresight, prudence, and ingenuity of the steward,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Mammon is the Hebrew word for 'riches,' just as in Punic the word for 'profit' is mammon. What are we to do? What did the Lord command? 'Make yourselves friends with the mammon of iniquity, so that they too, when you begin to fail, may receive you into eternal shelters.' It is easy, of course, to understand that we must give alms and a helping hand to the needy, because Christ receives it in them... We can understand that we have to give alms and that we must not really pick and choose to whom we give them, because we are unable to sift through people's hearts. When you give alms to all different types of people, then you will reach a few who deserve them. You are hospitable, and you keep your house ready for strangers. Let in the unworthy, in case the worthy might be excluded. You cannot be a judge and sifter of hearts." (excerpt from Sermon 359A.11-12) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 comments that today marks the Lateran Basilica's 1700th anniversary. That’s a lot of history! It was the first public place where Christian worship was permitted. It was the site of five historic Church councils and hosted countless kings and emperors. It even served as a hiding place for Jews during World War II! This church has endured fires, persecutions, scandals, and terrorist attacks. And yet it continues its vital role as a sign of unity and Jesus’ promise that not even the gates of hell would overcome his Church (Matthew 16:18).
In a few weeks, the Jubilee Year of 2025 will begin with its theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” What better example of our hope in the Lord could there be than this ancient and revered church? So let’s take this special day to thank the Lord that he has fulfilled Ezekiel’s vision by sending us a constant flow of his blessings, both through the Lateran Basilica and through every church in every place in the world.
“Jesus, thank you for giving us your own rivers of living water!” (Meditation on Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that the Lantern is the cathedral for the archdiocese of Rome. Ezekiel, a priest in Babylon had a vision of the temple and the water flowing from it that brought fertility to the land The liturgy we celebrate brings fertility and grace to the world. Paul writes to the Corinthians that we are the Temple of God through the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Church is the Temple where we encounter Divine Presence. In John the cleansing of the Temple was necessary because the people who came from afar needed to have their Roman coinage exchanged for shekels and they needed to buy the animals for sacrifice. This changed from a service to a market as the focus. Jesus speaks of the Temple of His Body. Friar Judes notes that in John the beginning is the cleansing. The subtle message is that the entire John is a prelude to the Passion narrative which Jesus embraces in accord with the will of the Father.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces James Finley who guides us through a contemplative practice that anchors us in the transformative love of God.
As we sit this way, suffering arises. The suffering then might be our anxiety and concerns today, for ourselves, for our loved ones, for the world. As we sit in the midst of the arising of the anxiety, when we inhale, we inhale this love of God loving us through and through, anxiety and all, finding no hindrance in our anxiety, loving us so unexplainably forever. Then when we exhale, we exhale ourselves in love, anxiety and all, to the love that loves us. This requires gentle perseverance, because anxiety arises again. It doesn’t automatically go away. We sit with it, we lean into it again, and we hold fast to this love that sustains us in the midst of things…. (Rohr, n.d.)
We are aware of the Presence of God in those “thin places” where we have experienced the joining of our spirit to the Love of God.
References
Ezekiel, CHAPTER 47 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/47?1
John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/2?13
Meditation on Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/09/1125304/
Morse, E., & Francis, P. (2024, November 5). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/110924.html
1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/3?
Psalms, PSALM 46 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/46?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Divine Love in Uncertain Times: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/divine-love-in-uncertain-times-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov9
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