Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

Lectionary: 671

But he was speaking about the temple of his Body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.


Catholics are deeply familiar with "The Body of Christ." Every time we approach the altar the Eucharistic Minister speaks directly to each one of us and says audibly and clearly, as they offer us the Blessed Sacrament, "The Body of Christ." Hearing that proclamation, spoken directly and personally to me, we declare again, "Amen!" 
But, the polls show, there are some Catholics who don't believe it. Perhaps, like myself, they cannot hear very well; perhaps they're not paying attention as they approach the altar. But, most likely, they don't attend church and have forgotten what it means to be Catholic. It's easy to do. 
The Body of Christ is rightly compared to a temple, a building erected for, and dedicated to, the sole purpose of God's worship. The "Jews" who opposed Jesus in today's Gospel account, had forgotten or never learned the nature of their own bodies. By their circumcision they also were consecrated to God but, despite the pain of that surgery, its meaning is easily forgotten when we're obsessed with other things. 
In their case, as the story is told, they were obsessed with opposing the upstart from Nazareth. They were convinced nothing good could come out of Nazareth? 
But distractions come from every direction. Who knows that better than anyone reading this blog? The very machine we're operating is designed to distract and disorient and persuade us to look at something else, preferably someone's merchandise or product. If we turned to this machine to get some work done, it's determined to divert us to other purposes. 
The Body of Jesus, which confronts his opponents in this story, is bound for Jerusalem, the Temple, and Calvary. There it will be destroyed "for three days." A train of disciples, often baffled and distressed but nonetheless faithful, follow him. He is focussed on his mission; they are focussed on him. They can no more imagine the future than you and I. If we can project who might win the November elections, or what the economy will do in December, they cannot imagine the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. 
Even when they have seen it they will remain baffled, but the words of Jesus will come back to instruct them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." 
Then they will understand he was speaking of "his body," a temple like yours and mine; though ours are consecrated by bloodless sacraments into his death. 
Today's Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, an enormous pile few of us will ever see, reminds us of that mysterious word, body, which is so important in our Catholic tradition. It signifies our own physical bodies, both frail and resilient, sometimes fascinating and occasionally repugnant, often needy and yet eager. Body also signifies the Church, the Body of Christ, which is a building, a spiritual infrastructure of many centuries which has left innumerable physical structures in every part of the world. They disintegrate in time and yet spring up again like mushrooms, despite the rage of foes. 
It is good to celebrate our faith daily, especially with the Eucharist, and to declare once again, "Amen!" when someone looks us directly in the eyes and declares, "The Body of Christ!"