Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Our readings the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica:

1. Ezekiel 47: 1-2, 8-9, 12
2. Psalms 46: 2-3, 5-6, 9-9
3. 1 Corinthians 3: 9c-11, 16-17
4. John 2: 13-22

• Temple worship
• If God dwells in the temple, and He dwells in each of us, that would make us out to be temples.
• If someone were to come to you and say "I realize that I find myself more centered when I am near you.  Things seem clearer to me after we have talked.  I feel the Presence of God in you." what would you say to that?
• Would that make you likely to act/be any different around that other person?
• Perhaps there are some folks, perhaps several, who feel that way about you, but have never said anything.  What then? 

• Fear not
• Rationally, there is plenty to rightfully be afraid of if "the mountains plunge into the sea".  Here in earthquake country, that's more likely than it would be in most other cases.  In our minds we may believe that "God is our refuge and our strength", but in our hearts, that is another frontier to cross.
• When have you been afraid in times past?
• Was that fear reasonable?
• Did you pray at that time?
• How did you pray?
• Did it help?
• Do you think it really matters how we pray? 

• Take me to your leader
• Finding God in our lives is, perhaps, our highest calling.  There seems to be no end of places where He can be found.  Yet we still can feel abandoned, isolated, alone, forsaken.  Why is that?
• If God is among us, that suggests that we all have a part to play in fostering, strengthening that presence.  How do we find out what that part is?
• Can any one of us truly be the Presence of God without the rest of us?
• How far does that community extend?  Is it just whomever is in the room with you, your local parish, the faithful within your city, or is that community even confined to those who are consciously religious?
• What must we do to make that community stronger?
• How do we start? 

• The art of the possible
• A time, place, person, event, ... can be dedicated/consecrated to a specific purpose.  It's hard to dedicate anything to just one use, one purpose.  The favorite chair that you use for prayer might also be where you like to play with the grandchildren.  Does that say more about your prayer time, or the time you spend with your grandchildren?
• What are some things in your life that you know belong to God?
• How do you treat those differently from the "profane" part(s) of your life?
•  Is anything really "profane"?
• If that is the case, what difference does it make to the way that you live? 

• Preparation for Reconciliation
• How might my life be a better witness for God?
• Where can I gain more trust in God?
• Where can I partner with God more closely?
• Where might there be parts of my life that I need to consciously give back to God?

Honoring God

I like gorgeous places of worship as much as the next person.

The architecture can be a powerful mute witness to the glory of God.

The care lavished on every detail bearing witness to the faith of the builders.

The commitment and perseverance shown by such a structure

Offers a stunning testimony to the faithfulness of the community.

 

But I hope that I have a heart that is even more moved by God's dynamic presence.

A community throbbing with life and generosity.

Giving of itself to those in need,

No matter who they are, nor what circumstances they find themselves in.

Where the voices of children, the elderly, the forgotten are the music heard.

 

Lord give me a heart of flesh, rather than one of marble.

 

Shalom!