THE WORD
Rev 10,8-11 / Lk 19,45-48
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.’” And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.
IN OTHER WORDS
In 2012, I was privileged to witness the canonization of San Pedro Calungsod in Rome. The University of San Carlos Press published the Canonization Album which captured the different activities of the canonization including the triduum masses, the vigil, the canonization rite, the evening procession, the thanksgiving mass, and the celebration of the Pedro Calungsod Community of Filipinos in Rome. The thanksgiving mass was held inside the Basilica of St. Peter the day after the canonization, attended by Filipino cardinals, bishops, priests, religious, and pilgrims. As I entered the basilica for the first time in my life, I had mixed feelings of awe, wonder, and praise at the sight of its magnicent structure etched in the beauty of its details. Right there and then, I felt the presence of God.
Today, we commemorate the dedication of the Basilicas of Peter and Paul, the two pillars of our faith. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus reminds us of these structures and their importance to us.
First, THE TEMPLE IS THE HOUSE OF GOD. Jesus calls it ‘my house.’ This is a call for all of us to behave properly while inside the Church as God is present there. Second, THE TEMPLE IS THE HOUSE OF PRAYER. Jesus said that my house shall be a house of prayer. It is in silence inside the Church that we can communicate to God all of our heart’s desires. Third, THE TEMPLE IS THE HOUSE OF PROCLAMATION. Jesus was teaching everyday in the temple area. Together with our families and community, we hear the word of God and its message in the Church. With these three reasons, may our next visit to the Church be a fruitful and meaningful one.
- Fr. Generoso Rebayla, Jr., SVD | USC, Cebu City
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
