*** 1st Reading ***

Ezekiel 47: 1-2, 8-9, 12

The man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple

and I saw water coming out from the threshold of the Temple and flowing eastwards. The Temple faced the east and the water flowed from the south side of the Tem­­ple, from the south side of the altar.

 He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing the east and there I saw the stream coming from the south side.

 He said to me, “This water goes to the east, down to the Arabah, and when it flows into the sea of foul-smelling water, the water will become wholesome.  Wherever the river flows, swarms of creatures will live in it; fish will be plentiful and the seawater will become fresh.

Wherever it flows, life will abound.   Near the river on both banks there will be all kinds of fruit trees with foliage that will not wither and fruit that will never fail; each month they will bear a fresh crop because the water comes from the Temple. The fruit will be good to eat and the leaves will be used for healing.

 

Ps  The waters of the river gladden  the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High.

 

***2nd Reading ***

 1 Corinthians 3: 9c-11, 16-17

 

**** Gospel ****

John 2: 13-22

 As the Passover of the Jews was at hand, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.   In the Temple court he found merchants selling oxen, sheep and doves, and money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the Temple court, together with the oxen and sheep.

He knocked over the tables of the money-changers, scattering the coins, and ordered the people sell­ing doves, “Take all this away and stop making a marketplace of my Father’s house!”

 His disciples recalled the words of Scripture: Zeal for your House devours me as a fire. The Jews then questioned Jesus, “Where are the miraculous signs which give you the right to do this?”   And Jesus said, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”  

The Jews then replied, “The building of this temple has already taken forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” Actually, Jesus was referring to the temple of his body.  Only when he had risen from the dead did his disciples remember these words; then they believed both the Scripture and the words Jesus had spoken.

 

Gospel Reflection:

“DESTROY THIS TEMPLE AND IN THREE DAYS I WILL RAISE IT UP.”

Every Roman Catholic bishop has a church in his title. We call this church a “cathedral” because the cathedra (Latin: chair) of the bishop, the symbol of his authority, especially his teaching authority, is there.

A cathedral usually serves as the central church in a diocese. For the Holy Father, as Bishop of Rome, his cathedral is the Lateran Basilica. And because this is the Pope’s cathedral, it is called omnium ecclesiarum Urbis et orbis, mater et caput, the mother and head of all churches in Rome and in the world.

This celebration of its dedication by the whole church reminds us of the communion and oneness of the Church of Christ whose visible head in the world is the Bishop of Rome. Today then is an opportunity for us to thank the Lord for the gift of his church.

This church has become our mother who nurtures us in faith, who strengthens us with the sacraments, who unites us as brothers and sisters, who prays for us, and who reminds us with unwavering commitment that our goal is heaven. In return as her children, let us love, cherish, obey, and protect her.