Today, we remember the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the first Basilica of the Roman Church. Its importance is great in the history of Christianity. It marks the end of the Age of Martyrdom and the beginning of the legal practice of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Our Gospel Portion today is St. John 2:13-22, and we will concentrate on
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
John 2:19
Jesus was at the cross between Temple worship and worship of God-with-us. We know that before Jesus, the Jewish people held their great worship services in the Temple, but after the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus, worship would be centered in Him!
In the Temple during Jesus’ time, animal sacrifice was required. But in Jesus, the sacrifice was found in the shedding of His Blood.
Jesus completed in Himself the plan of God from the creation of the world. And those who have put their lives in His hands continue the saving work of Jesus.
We become the New Temple modeled after Jesus. Followers of Jesus must present themselves as people of prayer; through us, people need to experience God’s presence.
Be an expression of God’s presence in the here and now!
Pax. The Hermit of Peace.
Hermitage of Peace 