Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

"This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah, and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh. 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. 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."

Many of us who read this passage might think of the water flowing from the Temple as the love, mercy, and grace of God, but on another level this passage speaks about us as well. We are all called to be living temples to God, allowing His Goodness to pour out of us through our thoughts, words, and works. We are asked to empty ourselves so we might be filled with the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We are responsible for bringing God into the world through our actions. We are tasked with magnifying God by refreshing the world with our purity and holiness. God gives us every opportunity to grow in the faith, to bear good fruits, and to give life to others. We might not always think of ourselves as fonts of God’s grace, but that is what we are called to be as Christians and we should do all we can to build up the temple within us through virtuous lives.

Do we act like living temples to God? In what ways are we bringing God’s love, mercy, and grace to others? How can we bear more good fruits in our lives?

O Lord, build us into temples to your Goodness.

Amen.