St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are on the thirty second week in ordinary time, celebrating the feast of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica. All the readings focus on the concept of the temple. The first reading describes a new exodus, an occupation of the land and rebuilding of Jerusalem and its temple. The temple is God's dwelling with life giving power that flows from it. Do we try to understand this concept of temple and how that imagery applies to our lives as Christians?

In the second reading St. Paul uses the image of the temple and a master builder in order to help the believers better understand their relationship with God and one another. The good news that is shared is the foundation of our faith and it is essential. Jesus Christ is the foundation of the temple determined by God and is the heart of the Gospel message. God is the true master builder of the living temple. He builds it, the Church, with a living and believing community, where the Spirit of God dwells in them.

In the gospel we hear Jesus’ cleansing of the temple. His disciples accept and interpret His actions, but they do not understand them at that point. Others demand a sign to lead them to belief. Jesus predicts and gives them the sign of Himself, to destroy this temple and in three days He will raise it up. Jesus identified the sanctuary of the temple with Himself. The same Jesus is in the sanctuary in our Churches and who comes into the sanctuary of our hearts. How do we realize, relate, reconnect and remain with Jesus in our hearts?

Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony