My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today we celebrate the dedication of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome, the cathedral church of the Pope. This feast invites us to reflect on the meaning of a church building and our responsibility as members of God’s Church.
What does it mean to dedicate a church? To dedicate a church means to solemnly set it apart for the worship of God. It becomes a sacred place for the celebration of the Eucharist, the sacraments, prayer, and the gathering of God’s people. It is not simply a building; it is a house of prayer and a place where we encounter God.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus enters the Temple and drives out those buying and selling. He says, “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” Jesus reminds us that God’s house must remain a place of prayer, worship, and reverence.
What about our own parish church? For instance, my church Saint Francis Xavier Church in Petoskey was dedicated in 1908. Generations of people have worshipped here, baptized their children, celebrated marriages, received the Eucharist, and entrusted their loved ones to God. We are beneficiaries of their faith, generosity, and sacrifices. We have a responsibility to preserve this sacred place for future generations.
But there is something more important. Saint Paul reminds us in today’s second reading: “You are God’s building” and “You are the temple of God.”
The church building is sacred, but so are the people who gather in it. We can have beautiful stained-glass windows, a magnificent organ, and a beautiful altar, but if we lack love, forgiveness, unity, and holiness, we have missed the deeper meaning of being Church.
My dear brothers and sisters, let us remember that our responsibility is not only to maintain our church building but also to build a community of faith.
The question is not only when our church was dedicated, but whether our lives are dedicated to God.
We are not simply people who go to church; we are the Church. May God help us preserve His house and become living temples of His Holy Spirit. Amen. Have a wonderful Week
