First established around the year 324, the structures that have stood on this spot have suffered all manner of disasters throughout the ages. The current incarnation of the Basilica was completed in 1735 by Alessandro Gallelei.
However, on this feast day of the dedication of this awesome temple to god, we are also brought to remember that God's temple is living among, and in, us:
Do you not realize that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God is living among you? If anybody should destroy the temple of God, God will destroy him, because the temple of God is sacred; and you are that temple.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – Mid-morning reading from the Liturgy of the Hours, on the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
These are indeed strong words that St. Paul gives us, in holding sacred this “temple of God” that is among us all. We are exhorted by the apostle to hold sacred our very bodies, for the Spirit is with us. But what does this mean?
Well, from a physical standpoint, I think it is quite obvious! We are called to take care of our physical bodies, to not neglect the beautiful gift that God has given us. But it goes so far beyond food and nutrition, exercise and activity, dear friends...
Yes, as part of being proper stewards of our bodies, we are called to these things. Some of us are not as good as we should be in following these principals (myself included). But there is soooooooo much information out there as far as eating right and staying physically healthy, you don't need me to reiterate any of it!
The thing that I think we forget about in keeping sacred this temple, is the most important part! It is the spiritual nourishment that we so often forget! Besides, if we rely on the spiritual nourishment, the physical will fall into place. Are we not more important than the blades of grass, the flowers, or the birds? (Matt. 6:25-34)
First off, there is the aspect of Chastity, where the spiritual and physical intermingle. There are obvious physical consequences for being unchaste, and psychological consequences as well. Those who live an unchaste life are often times left with broken bodies, and bruised spirits. More often than not, they are left empty and alone, looking for meaning. In my own life, in both personal experience and researching this subject, an unchaste lifestyle can leave someone with so much more than just an STD or an unwanted pregnancy, but it can leave a person with an empty spirit, dragging them down into an ever darker spiral of despair. The worst part of it, is that many people do not even realize this important fact until after so much damage has been done...
Even in married life, chastity must be upheld. A lot of people mistakenly confuse chastity and celibacy. But in reality, we are ALL called to chastity, whether single, married, priest, or consecrated religious. There are so many married couples (and single people) that are affected by the scourge of pornography and self love. When the beautiful, spiritual, act of our sexuality is taken out of the context of life and love, and becomes lust in what ever form, it leads us apart from God, and cuts us off from His divine Grace.
It is through a chaste and pure life that we can truly come to know God. But this is only one aspect in which we must keep our bodies, these “temples of God,” holy.
We must also watch what we bring into our bodies; and I am not talking about forsaking your local fast-food burger for a green leafy salad (although this is a good start). I am talking about what we expose our minds to. Television, video games, the Internet, all assault our minds with radical images that violate our senses. Sex and violence are everywhere in today's world, and unless one keeps constant vigil, they tend to sneak into our lives and homes. We must take care in what we read, what we watch, and what we do online. For in keeping our minds away from unclean things, we can keep our bodies, these “temples”, from unclean actions.
Finally, and most importantly, what happens in all temples that are made for the glory of God, like our bodies? What is the basis of all worship spaces? It is prayer! It is through prayer, a constant communication with the Divine, that we can keep our bodies fit for Him. For without prayer, we are cut off from God. We must remember to focus our minds, all our thoughts and actions, into a constant prayer for Him.
Of course, our prayer life is not complete without the Sacraments. It is in the Sacraments that we are in fact made proper temples for our Lord. Through Baptism we are born again and made new, Confirmation strenghtens us to be soldiers, Confession provides us the cleansing that we need, and the Eucharist provides the most important spiritual nourishment of all, the real Presence of Christ that keeps us going from day to day. As we endeavor to keep these “temples” holy, it is the sacraments that keeps us in His Divine grace. Adding this to a daily prayer life, through acts such as the rosary, or the Divine Office, I think that we Christians are able to start heeding the words of the apostle to the gentiles in his letter to Corinth.
All of this may sound so impossible dear friends in Christ. And you know what? IT IS! Living a chaste life, watching what we bring into our bodies physically, being careful about what we watch and listen to, and keeping our minds constantly turned towards Christ through prayer and the Sacraments is COMPLETELY and UTTERLY IMPOSSIBLE.
For us mere mortals that is. :)
For in attempting to keep our bodies holy, and use them to give glory to God, to serve our Saviour, we will most certainly fail, unless of course we turn it all over to Him. As long as we learn to let go, and let God (hat tip to my friend Leslie right there), and remember that it is through HIS Grace alone that we will be able to live this life in Christ, we will be able to hold true to Paul's words of wisdom.
As always dear brothers and sisters, my prayers remain with you all.
And remember: Ad majorem Dei gloriam!
Blessings,
Dean
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