Dear sisters and brothers, Let us show reverence in our churches. They are houses of prayer. Fr. Cielo

1. Sunday Readings
Commentary and Reflections
9 November 2014
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st reading: Ezekiel 47:1-2,8-9,12
 1 The angel brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I
saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple
toward the east, for the facade of the temple was toward the
east; the water flowed down from the southern side of the
temple, south of the altar. 2 He led me outside by the north gate,
and around to the outer gate facing the east, where I saw water
trickling from the southern side. 8 He said to me, "This water
flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah, and empties
into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh. 9 Wherever
the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall
live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water
comes the sea shall be made fresh. 12 Along both banks of the
river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not
fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for
they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit
shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine."
The focus is on the temple.

3. 1st reading: Ezekiel 47:1-2,8-9,12
Temple and water
A simple outline!
 1 The angel brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I
saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple
toward the east, for the facade of the temple was toward the east;
the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple, south
of the altar. 2 He led me outside by the north gate, and around to
the outer gate facing the east, where I saw water trickling from the
southern side.
Water and sea creatures
 8 He said to me, "This water flows into the eastern district down
upon the Arabah, and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which
it makes fresh. 9 Wherever the river flows, every sort of living
creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant
fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh.
Water and fruit trees
 12 Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall
grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month
they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow
from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves
for medicine."

4. 1st reading: Ezekiel 47:1-2,8-9,12
Temple and water
 1 The angel brought me back to the entrance
of the temple, and I saw water flowing out
from beneath the threshold of the temple
toward the east, for the facade of the temple
was toward the east; the water flowed down
from the southern side of the temple, south
of the altar. 2 He led me outside by the north
gate, and around to the outer gate facing the
east, where I saw water trickling from the
southern side.
Water and sea creatures
 8 He said to me, "This water flows into the
eastern district down upon the Arabah, and
empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it
makes fresh. 9 Wherever the river flows,
every sort of living creature that can multiply
shall live, and there shall be abundant fish,
for wherever this water comes the sea shall
be made fresh.
Water and fruit trees
 12 Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of
every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not
fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they
shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be
watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their
fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for
medicine."
Commentary
 Ezekiel prophesied in
Babylon during the Exile
(597-537 BC).
 He had visions on the
restoration of the Temple.
 Vv.1-2 talk about the angel
bringing Ezekiel back to the
Temple where water is
flowing.
 They flow to the sea and
make the fish multiply. Vv.8-9
remind us of the rivers in
Gen 2.
 V.12 reminds us also of the
rivers in Gen 2. They water
the fruit bearing trees along
the banks.
 The waters from the Temple
will make fecund (fruitful,
productive) all sea creatures
and trees.
 There is hope after the Exile.

5. Reflections on the 1st reading
 The Temple in Jerusalem is a sign of God’s
blessing.
 Temporarily, the operations in the Temple stopped
because of the Babylonian invasion.
 But God gives signs of hope.
 There will be restoration.
 The imageries of the Temple and the water gushing
forth from each side are signs that life will be coming
back.
 The exilic people will return to the promised land
and be re-created.
 People will live normal lives again.

6. Responsorial Ps. 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
 R. (5) The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling
of the Most High!
2 God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
3 Therefore, we fear not, though the earth be shaken
and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.
 5 There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
6 God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;
God will help it at the break of dawn.
 8 The LORD of hosts is with us;
our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
9 Come! behold the deeds of the LORD,
the astounding things he has wrought on earth.

7. Responsorial Ps. 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
 R. (5) The waters of the river gladden the
city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most
High!
2 God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
3 Therefore, we fear not, though the earth be
shaken
and mountains plunge into the depths of the
sea.
 5 There is a stream whose runlets gladden the
city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
6 God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;
God will help it at the break of dawn.
 8 The LORD of hosts is with us;
our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
9 Come! behold the deeds of the LORD,
the astounding things he has wrought on
earth.
Commentary
 The psalm is classified as Zion
Hymn.
 V.2 contains metaphors that refer to
God.
 V.3 exhorts us not to fear in times of
calamities (impossible situations).
 Vv.5-6 describe the feeling in the
Temple: glad, not disturbed because
of God’s presence.
 V.8 affirms God’s presence
(immanence, closeness) to us.
 V.9 invites all to witness God’s
astounding deeds.

8. Reflections on the Psalm
 It is always good to be in God’s Temple.
 It is a place of refuge.
 When in trouble, it can secure our safety.
 God is in the Temple.
 When we go to church, do we feel God’s
presence?
 Churches are special place (space) of
encounter with the mighty and merciful Lord.

9. 2nd reading: 1 Cor 3:9c-11,16-17
 9 You are God's building. 10 According to the grace
of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid
a foundation, and another is building upon it. But
each one must be careful how he builds upon it, 11
for no one can lay a foundation other than the one
that is there, namely, Jesus Christ. 16 Do you not
know that you are the temple of God, and that the
Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys
God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the
temple of God, which you are, is holy.
The focus is on God’s Temple

10. A simple outline!
2nd reading: 1 Cor 3:9c-11,16-17
We are God’s building; Paul the master builder
 9 You are God's building. 10 According to the grace
of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid
a foundation, and another is building upon it. But
each one must be careful how he builds upon it, 11
for no one can lay a foundation other than the one
that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.
Christian identity: God’s Temple
 16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If
anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that
person; for the temple of God, which you are, is
holy.

11. 2nd reading: 1 Cor 3:9c-11,16-17
We are God’s building; Paul
the master builder
 9 You are God's building. 10
According to the grace of
God given to me, like a wise
master builder I laid a
foundation, and another is
building upon it. But each one
must be careful how he builds
upon it, 11 for no one can lay
a foundation other than the
one that is there, namely,
Jesus Christ.
Christian identity: God’s
Temple
 16 Do you not know that you
are the temple of God, and
that the Spirit of God dwells
in you? 17 If anyone
destroys God's temple, God
will destroy that person; for
the temple of God, which you
are, is holy.
Commentary
 In v.9, Paul reminds that Christians
are God’s building.
 In v.10, Paul claims to have laid the
foundation of the Christian church
in Corinth.
 Anyone who becomes incorporated
into the church he founded must be
careful for he would be stepping on
the foundation itself, who is Jesus
Christ himself. V.11
 In vv.16-17, Paul reminds the
Christians that they are temples of
God.
 They are the dwelling place of the
Holy Spirit.
 No one should dare destroy the
Christians.
 God has made holy all Christians.

12. Reflections on the 2nd reading
 St. Paul reminds us of the sanctity of each
Christian.
 We Christians are sacred in the eyes of God.
 Since we are his dwelling place, Christians
must give due respect to one another.
 There is a threat to those who want to
destroy us. God will destroy them.
 We see to it also that we revere our own
bodies for God is dwelling in each of us.

13. Gospel reading: John 2:13-22
 13 Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to
Jerusalem. 14 He found in the temple area those who sold oxen,
sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there.
15 He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the
temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the
money-changers and overturned their tables, 16 and to those who
sold doves he said, "Take these out of here, and stop making my
Father's house a marketplace." 17 His disciples recalled the
words of scripture, "Zeal for your house will consume me." 18 At
this the Jews answered and said to him, "What sign can you show
us for doing this?" 19 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy
this temple and in three days I will raise it up." 20 The Jews said,
"This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and
you will raise it up in three days?" 21 But he was speaking about
the temple of his body. 22 Therefore, when he was raised from
the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they
came to believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.
The focus is on the cleansing of theTemple of Jerusalem

14. Gospel reading: John 2:13-22
Cleansing of the Temple
A simple outline!
 13 Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14
He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well
as the money-changers seated there. 15 He made a whip out of cords and
drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled
the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, 16 and to those
who sold doves he said, "Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's
house a marketplace."
Two different responses
 17 His disciples recalled the words of scripture, "Zeal for your house will
consume me." 18 At this the Jews answered and said to him, "What sign can
you show us for doing this?"
Jesus’ response
 19 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I
will raise it up."
Misunderstanding
 20 The Jews said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six
years, and you will raise it up in three days?"
Correct understanding
 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 Therefore, when he
was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and
they came to believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

15. Gospel reading: John 2:13-22
Cleansing of the Temple
 13 Since the Passover
of the Jews was near,
Jesus went up to
Jerusalem. 14 He
found in the temple
area those who sold
oxen, sheep, and
doves, as well as the
money-changers
seated there. 15 He
made a whip out of
cords and drove them
all out of the temple
area, with the sheep
and oxen, and spilled
the coins of the
money-changers and
overturned their tables,
16 and to those who
sold doves he said,
"Take these out of
here, and stop making
my Father's house a
marketplace."
Commentary
 V.13 indicates that Jesus observes a Jewish
law: to attend a passover feast in Jerusalem
annually.
 The passover in Jerusalem celebrates the
liberation of Israel from Egypt.
 V.14 indicates the presence of vendors and
money-changers.
 These were needed to make it easier for the
pilgrims coming from afar to procure objects of
sacrifices.
 Vv.15-16a describe how Jesus manifests his
anger over the commerce going on in the
temple area.
 At this point, the readers are still wondering
what’s wrong.
 V.16b explains Jesus’ predicament.
 “Stop making the Temple a marketplace.”
 The Temple is a house of prayer (a place to gain
closer relationship with God).
 It is not a marketplace (a place to gain money).

16. Gospel reading: John 2:13-22
Two different responses
 17 His disciples recalled the
words of scripture, "Zeal for your
house will consume me." 18 At
this the Jews answered and said
to him, "What sign can you show
us for doing this?"
Jesus’ response
 19 Jesus answered and said to
them, "Destroy this temple and in
three days I will raise it up."
Misunderstanding
 20 The Jews said, "This temple
has been under construction for
forty-six years, and you will raise
it up in three days?"
Correct understanding
 21 But he was speaking about the
temple of his body. 22 Therefore,
when he was raised from the
dead, his disciples remembered
that he had said this, and they
came to believe the scripture and
the word Jesus had spoken.
 In v.17, the disciples show their
approval on what Jesus did.
 In v.18, the Jews (enemies of Jesus)
challenge him.
 They demand for a sign (a miracle) so
that they will believe.
 V.19 is the answer. We readers
understand the Temple as his body and
his rising up as his resurrection.
 V.20 reveals that the Jews have not
understood him. They take him literally.
 Jesus’ answer is unacceptable.
 V.21 picks up what we understand in
v.19.
 V.22 immediately affirms that this sign
has happened.
 The sign is the resurrection of Jesus
after he died (was destroyed).
 The sign made the disciples believe in
the scripture and the words of Jesus
himself.

17. Reflections on the gospel reading
 It is important to believe in Jesus.
 All his actions (signs, miracles) must lead us to
believe in Jesus.
 We should not question his authority.
 We should not dare to ask for signs, if ,after all, we
do not believe and we continue with our business as
usual.
 What is a better sign than his resurrection?
 Faith in the resurrection allows us to understand
who Jesus is. It helps us to appreciate why he wants
respect in God’s house.
 It helps us to believe in his words.

18. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
 The first reading tells us about the restoration of the
Temple. (It was destroyed by the Babylonians).
 The psalm tells us that we can find the presence of God
in the Temple and take refuge in it.
 The second reading makes us realize that our bodies are
the temples of the Holy Spirit.
 The gospel reading tells us about the Temple as the
Body of Christ.
Historical note: The Temple of Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in
70 AD, long before the writing of John’s gospel.

19. How to develop your homily / sharing
 This Sunday is the Feast of the Dedication of St.
John Lateran Basilica in Rome.
 This basilica is important in the history of the
Church.
 It was given to the Church by Constantine the Great
when he legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire
in 313 AD.
 Before this time, the Church went underground for 3
centuries. It was not easy then to be a Christian.

20.  The three readings are carefully chosen for this feast.
 The first reading refers to the Temple of Jerusalem,
the center of spiritual life of the Jewish people.
 The second reading recognizes each baptized
Christian as Temple of the Holy Spirit. We are the
center of
God’s activities.
 St. Paul warns that those who destroy the Christians
will be destroyed by God because they are his
dwelling places.
 The gospel reading shifts the understanding of the
concrete Temple to the body of Jesus. The resurrected
body of Christ is the center of God’s activities to man
and man’s activities to God.

21.  What is there to reflect upon today?
 We give importance to the building which houses
the faithful when they worship God.
 Based on the first reading, the church edifice must
serve as a sign of God’s presence where God gives
his blessings.
 The imagery of water gushing forth from the Temple
is a symbol of hope. There is life if the Temple is
restored.
 There will be food everywhere coming from the sea
and the land.

22.  Based on the second reading, we Christian
believers are given a new identity.
 We are God’s dwelling places.
 Hence, we must be sacred.
 Let no one destroy us, or do us violence.
 Let each Christian be a place of prayer, where the
Holy Spirit dwells and prays.
 Our holy bodies remind other people of God’s
presence.
 Let us revere and give due respect to one another.

23.  Based on the gospel reading, we must put our faith
in Jesus.
 We should not look for any other sign than his
resurrection.
 His resurrection is the key to understand Jesus
himself and our own identity as his followers.
 We should not make Jesus (Temple) a source of
money, but a source of spiritual inspiration.
 We must cleanse ourselves from seeking material
gains out of our service for God.

24.  Today we should be reminded to take care of our
church buildings.
 They should be well maintained and respected to
attain its purpose.
 Its purpose is to provide a good venue for communal
worship, meaningful liturgical celebrations, and a
decent place for the administration of the sacraments
especially the celebration of the eucharist.
 It should not become a battleground for competing
groups fighting to gain control over it.
 One should not use it to advance business interests.
 The liturgy must match the beauty of our altars and
churches.

25.  In the eucharist, we express our faith in Christ.
 We thank God that we have a building where we
can celebrate the eucharist.
 Truly God considers us his temples when he enters
our bodies, when we receive the eucharist.
 We don’t have to spend much, we have no need of
money changers in order to offer acceptable
sacrifice to the Lord in the eucharist.
 In the eucharist, Jesus takes the place of the lamb
at the same time the priest-offerer.
 In the eucharist, we join Jesus in offering himself to
God.

26. Our Context of Sin and Grace
 Dilapidated churches
 Old churches, tourist spots
 Abandoned churches
 High cost of maintaining luxury
churches (aircons, personnel)
 Irreverent church goers (not in
proper attire)
 Dirty altar linens
 Undisciplined children eating,
running around and shouting
inside the church
 Littering in the church
 Ugly bulletin boards
 Noisy surroundings (basketball
court and along busy roads and
markets)
 Well-maintained churches and
sound system
 Not over decorated with
images, candles and flowers
 Conducive to prayer and
devotion
 Visits to the Blessed
Sacrament
 Generous donors and
benefactors
 Good church servant leaders
 Good liturgies and liturgical
ministers
 Formed and learned choirs

27. Suggested Song
 Come Build My Church
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZugkzkgjDk
 Restore My Church
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUx03GBL_Bo
 Buhay Maging Maligaya
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh0VyqcYK3I