REFLECTIONS

Jesus walks into the Temple and finds that something sacred has lost its focus. The Temple, meant to be a place of prayer, had become busy, noisy, and distracted. With passion and purpose, Jesus clears it out and calls people back to what really matters – the presence of God. It’s a powerful moment, and it’s one that still speaks to us today. Because sometimes our own lives, our homes, and even our hearts can start to feel a bit like that Temple – crowded with noise, busyness, worry, and distraction. The good things of life can easily take over the God things. The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica reminds us that the Church isn’t just a building in Rome. It’s a living sign of who we are together: God’s people, the living Church. Every time we gather as a family, as a parish, or even around the dinner table, we become part of that same sacred story. So what might Jesus want to “clear out” in our lives today? What might he want to restore, to make space for joy, peace, and His presence again? Maybe it’s our endless schedules that leave little room for rest or prayer. Maybe it’s the digital noise that drowns out real connection. Or maybe it’s the simple call to bring faith back into our homes – a prayer before dinner, a kind word, a quiet moment together. The truth is, God’s temple is not just in church, it’s in us. Our families, our friendships, and our homes are all places where God wants to dwell. The Lateran Basilica stands as a reminder that holiness doesn’t belong to marble and stone, but to living hearts that make room for God. So today, as we celebrate this feast, let’s ask ourselves: Are we building homes where faith is visible, love is tangible, and God feels at home? May we, as families and as a parish community, have the courage to clear the clutter, to renew what matters, and to make space for the sacred in the middle of everyday life. Because when we do, our lives become cathedrals of grace – not grand or perfect, but full of God’s living presence. (GPBS eNews)