The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 32nd Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Jn 2:13-22*

*First Reading : Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12*

*The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica*

*Cleansing of the Temple and overturning the Tables*

*1) Dedication and Cleansing of the Temple*

Today we are celebrating the dedication of Lateran Temple. 

Saint John Lateran is the pope’s church, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome where the Bishop of Rome presides.

In this context we have the Gospel of Cleansing of the Temple 

So dedication of that temple also reminds us about the cleansing of the Temple

*2) The meaning of the Overturning of the Tables*

In the context of cleansing of the temple we have the action of  overturning the tables

These tables were used to keep the money and used for business 

In a way these tables were found in the temples where business was going on and the money was stored in the table 

So, Jesus over turned the tables in the context of cleansing the temple, and showed that these tables, money and business had no place in the temple

*3) The deeper meaning of the tables, Money and Business*

These things tell us the importance given to the wordly things 

In the Holy place, where one is supposed to reflect about the Holy things and spiritual matters, the wordly things took the primary place and the purpose of the temple was defeated 

That's why Jesus over turns the tables and cleanses the temple

*4) Our life is a temple*

St Paul says that *we are the temple of the Holy Spirit*  1 Corinthians 6:19-20

So the temple of our life needs rededication and thorough cleaning 

*5) Overturning the tables of our life*

Since these tables are meant for wordly things and storing the wordly things, we need to overturn these tables while cleaning the temple of our life 

When one overturns the tables, all the things which are in the table, will be thrown out and the  table becomes empty 

So we need to overturn the following tables 

The table of gossip

The table of pride

The table of revenge

The table of hatred 

The table of anger 

The table of arrogance

The table of laziness

The table of bad habits 

Unless we overturn these tables we may not be able to cleanse the temple of our life

*Am I ready to overturn the  wordly tables of our life??*

*6)

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*