Breaking the Word

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Tuesday – 09^th November 2021 — Gospel:      Jn 2,13-22

Church’s Various Images

The Basilica of St.John the Lateran is affectionately called the “mother and head of all the churches of Rome and the world.” Similar to the significance of the Jerusalem temple and its symbolic building for the Jewish people, the Lateran Basilica serves for the universal church. Today the church has been described in various images that exhibit its different characteristics. The church is herald as it is called to proclaim the Good News; it is a sacrament as it is called to be a sign of God’s presence; it is an institution as it organizes to bring Christ to others; and it is a servant as it serves the needs of all people. The church is a mystical body as it is united with Jesus, the Head; it is a building, with Jesus as the foundation and also the cornerstone, and we are the various building blocks of the structure.  It is a people of God serving the brothers and sisters of Jesus, our brother and savior.

The temple narrative in John consists of two parts: Jesus’ actions in the Temple and Jesus’ foretelling about the destruction of the Temple. Jesus revolutionary actions reveal to us a very different person of Jesus. Why did Jesus, who was so merciful and compassionate, turned violent in the temple? For the Israelites, the Jerusalem temple symbolized the center of the cosmos, the meeting place between heaven and earth. It is the center to which distant communities would send delegations to offer worship. It was also a potent symbol of God’s victory over His enemies. It was referred to as the ‘House of God or Lord’. The temple was also a symbol of holiness, set apart for spiritual and holy sacrifices. Jesus, being the Son of God, could rightly call this temple, “My Father’s House”.  When Jesus saw his Father’s house being defiled, he could no longer tolerate it and he moved into action.

32^ndWeek in Ord. Time, Monday – 08^th November 2021 — Gospel: Lk 17,1-6

Eternal Peril

This section is addressed to the disciples to think about and implement. There are three units in this section. The first concerns being a cause of scandal (17,1-2), the second is on forgiveness (17,3-4) and the third is on faith (17,5-6). Jesus speaks of the need of his disciples not only to live a good life, but also to avoid scandalizing others as they grow in faith. Since we are living in a sinful world, occasions of sin will continue to be present, but it is caused by humans. Knowing human nature and conditions in the world, Jesus said that it was inevitable that offenses should come. However, the one who is the cause for such an occasion must accept responsibility. In a striking metaphor in 17,2 Lucan Jesus makes the point that the one who is responsible for causing the scandal will not be able to escape the consequences of his/her action. The language as strong as this is intended to picture not only physical death but eternal condemnation as well. Since this is a warning addressed to the disciples, the term “little ones” in this context must be interpreted as those who are just beginning to believe and the help they need to enhance their faith. Being encouraged in the worldliness, there are ample opportunities for the little ones to stumble, but they must be cautious and avoid being stumbling block to others especially in faith.