32nd Week in Ordinary Time (B) : Tuesday 9th November 2021

We are God’s people. Our stronghold is God, who is our refuge and strength. Ezekiel imagined God’s Temple as the source of a life-giving river. The river flows from the sanctuary of the Temple. Its water nourishes lives. Like the fish in the river or the fruit-bearing trees on its banks, we are nourished by this life-giving water.

Jesus cleansed the Temple. He purged it from the business dealings, which overshadowed the holiness of God’s Temple, signified by the genuine offerings from the heart of God’s people. In Paul’s time, the Jerusalem Temple had already been destroyed, and so to the Corinthian Christians, he says: you are God’s building. Build up the Church, but never forget the foundation of the Church, namely, Jesus Christ.

Today the universal Church celebrates the consecration of the Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome, the Pope’s Cathedral. The Basilica was built during Constantine’s reign and was consecrated by Pope Sylvester I in 324. The Basilica is honoured as “the mother of all churches of Rome and the world”. Today’s celebration is a sign of love for the See of Peter and union with the Pope.

Lord God, be our refuge and strength; and bless us, Your people, Spirit of the Lord Jesus, guide us, for we are Your Church.