Reflection for Thursday November 9, Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica: John 2:13-22

Gospel: John 2:13-22

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. 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, and to those who sold doves he said, "Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace." His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking about the temple of his Body. 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.

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Reflection:

Do you still revere and respect the church as the temple of God?

Nowadays the church is not only used solely for worship and prayer. Some churches sometimes are used for rumor mongering, for business opportunities and sometimes sad to say it’s used as a trysting place for lovers.

And who are they? Some of them are the people who are directly involved in the church. They are not the ordinary Mass goer but those who spend time and do volunteer work for the church.  

Another temple that Jesus wants to speak about is our very own bodies which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. What have we done to our bodies? What are the values that we feed and conjure in our minds? Those who could afford take medicines to change the color of their skin. They also go to the doctor to beautify some noticeable parts of their bodies for them to look attractive.

Jesus wants to remind us about the real purpose of the church.  It's always a temple of worship and a safe refuge for the poor, for those who are lost and losing hope. We also have to accept our bodies and the color of our skin as God gave it to us. 

Nevermind if you are not attractive outside what is important is you are beautiful and Godly inside. – Marino J. Dasmarinas