Wonder and Worship

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, remind us of the connection of worship to special places where people congregate and experience God.

Lateran Basilica in Rome

The Reading from the Prophet Ezekiel describes The Wonderful Stream.

* [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 is a song of confidence in God’s protection of Zion.

* [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.)

The Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians praises diverse functions in the service of the community.

* [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 initiates cleansing of 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. (John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Rashmi Fernando, SJ, concludes that the Feast of the Lateran Basilica, therefore, calls us to the truth that we are not just visitors to the temple; we ourselves are the temple. The real dedication celebrated today is not of stones and marbles, but of hearts ready to welcome the Divine.

Our task, then, is to let the living water of God’s grace flow from us — into our relationships, communities, and the wounded world around us. When we live as God’s dwelling, our words heal, our actions nourish, and our presence brings peace. Hence, today’s feast is a timely reminder for us to examine the “marketplaces” within ourselves— the distractions, inordinate or disordered attachments, addictions, and compromises—that turn our sacred spaces, both physical and spiritual, into places of transaction rather than transformation. The same Christ who overturned tables in Jerusalem wants to overturn whatever clutters the inner temple of our lives today, so that the Spirit can dwell freely in us, and our communion with God becomes fuller. (Fernando, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus cleanses the temple - his Father's house,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"But why did Christ use such violence? He was about to heal on the sabbath day and to do many things that appeared to them transgressions of the law. However, so that he might not appear to be acting as a rival to God and an opponent of his Father, he takes occasion to correct any such suspicion of theirs... He did not merely 'cast them out' but also 'overturned the tables' and 'poured out the money,' so that they could see how someone who threw himself into such danger for the good order of the house could never despise his master. If he had acted out of hypocrisy, he would have only advised them, but to place himself in such danger was very daring. It was no small thing to offer himself to the anger of so many market people or to excite against himself a most brutal mob of petty dealers by his reproaches and the disruption he caused. This was not, in other words, the action of a pretender but of one choosing to suffer everything for the order of the house. For the same reason, to show his agreement with the Father, he did not say 'the holy house' but 'my Father's house.' See how he even calls him 'Father,' and they are not angry with him. They thought he spoke in a more general way, but when he went on and spoke more plainly of his equality, this is when they become angry." (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 23.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 invites us to consider the significance of this building, the Lateran Basilica in Rome. This was the first place where God’s people could assemble publicly and testify to Jesus’ presence in the celebration of the Eucharist. Here, and at every Mass, Jesus himself is present under the appearances of ordinary bread and wine. He comes to us in this humble way so that he can be with us in the ordinary circumstances of our everyday lives. This tremendous miracle is a consoling reality and a spiritual stronghold for each of us: Jesus is present, in lowly Eucharistic form, in every tabernacle in the world!

This is why we design churches to be beautiful sacred spaces: to mark them as fitting dwellings for Jesus and to remind us that he is always with us. He dwells among us and offers himself to us every day.

Today, let’s thank God for all the astounding things he has done. But above all, let’s rejoice in his constant faithful presence among us! And let’s open our hearts to receive and adore him, present in the Eucharist.

“Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of your Body and Blood. You are my stronghold, Lord, and you will never leave me.” (Meditation on Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains that Ezekiel was in exile in  Babylon when he envisions a river from the Temple changing everything. Our worship in the Church has cosmic consequences. Something of the goodness of our gathering is communicated and changes the entire universe. Paul gives the idea that we are the Temple of God and we should treat ourselves in a holy way. We listen to God within our hearts. In John’s Gospel, Jesus cleansed the temple at the beginning of His ministry. The Roman coins the people brought needed to be changed but a marketplace had become dominant. Friar Jude notes, In John, Jesus is speaking about His Body as the Temple, to be raised and built up in three days.

Jeff Cavins joins Fr. Mike Schmitz to introduce the Gospel of Luke and highlight the distinctive aspects of this synoptic Gospel. We learn that the Gospel of Luke uniquely captures the humanity of Jesus, the role of women, Jesus' frequent engagement with individuals on the margins, and the mystery of the Ascension.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on creation as sacred and alive with God’s presence. 

Thomas Aquinas, the 13th-century theologian and Doctor of the Church, put it this way: 

God brought things into being in order that God’s goodness might be communicated to creatures, and be represented by them; and because God’s goodness could not be adequately represented by one creature alone, God produced many and diverse creatures, that what was wanting to one in the representation of the divine goodness might be supplied by another. For goodness, which in God is simple and uniform, in creatures is manifold and divided. [1]  

If we scale chronological history down to the span of one year, with the Big Bang on January 1, then our species, Homo sapiens, doesn’t appear until 11:59 PM on December 31. That means our written Bible and the church appeared in the last nanosecond of December 31. I can’t believe that God would have had nothing to say until the last nanosecond. Rather, as both Paul and Thomas Aquinas say, God has been revealing God’s love, goodness, and beauty since the very beginning through the natural world of creation. “God looked at everything God had made and found it very good” (Genesis 1:31). Everything is sacred! (Rohr, n.d.).

We are blessed with “Sacred Spaces” that have long histories of bringing us close to the Divine and the reality beyond our five senses that is relationship with God.

References

Ezekiel, CHAPTER 47 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/47?1 

Fernando, R. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-9-2025 

John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/2?13 

Meditation on Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/09/1425798/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/3?9 

Psalms, PSALM 46 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/46?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-dignity-of-attention/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Zeal for the Father's House. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/ 

Spirit and Thin Places

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.

Lateran Basilica in Rome

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.)

Ed Morse comments that as Paul later explained to the Corinthians, God has indeed come to dwell in us. Our Lord is the cornerstone and foundation of a living temple, in which those who follow him are also joined.

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