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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

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Dedication of St. John Lateran


Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
1 Peter 2:4-9
Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
John 2:13-22

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"living stones"

"You too are living stones, built as an edifice of spirit, into a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." —1 Peter 2:5

God's plan of salvation is to build a new temple, "an edifice of spirit" (1 Pt 2:5), the Church. This temple is not built with inanimate stones, but living ones. Jesus is "a living Stone, rejected by men but approved, nonetheless, and precious in God's eyes" (1 Pt 2:4). He is the Foundation Stone (1 Cor 3:11) and the Cornerstone (1 Pt 2:6-7). The apostles and prophets are also living stones and part of the temple's foundation (Eph 2:20-22). In a special way, the apostle Peter and his successors are a rock on which Jesus decided to build this new temple, the Church (Mt 16:18).

We "too are living stones." We can decide to become part of "this temple, to become a dwelling place for God in the Spirit" (Eph 2:22), or we can be co-opted into being part of one of the devil's strongholds (see 2 Cor 10:4). We decide to become part of the Church by believing in Jesus and His word (1 Pt 2:7-8). We express this faith by being baptized and living our baptisms. This means we witness for Jesus to lead others to Him and to His Church. We work to build up the Church and live in the community of the Church. We are faithful members of the Catholic Church through our dioceses, of our dioceses through our parishes, and of our parishes through our small communities.

Love the Church and be a faithful member of the Church.

Prayer:  Father, may I love the Church as Christ does. May I lay down my life for her (Eph 5:25).

Promise:  "Zeal for Your house consumes Me." —Jn 2:17

Praise:  In honoring the church of St. John Lateran, "the mother of all the churches," we honor all parishes as we form the body of Christ. Praise You, Jesus, "Head of the Church" (Eph 1:22).

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 6, 2010

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