Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Also Read: Mass Readings for 09 November 2025
First Reading: Ezekiel 47: 1-2, 8-9, 12
The Lord God said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh. Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes. (8-9)
The prophet Ezekiel is shown this vision by the Lord. The river symbolizes the life-giving waters. “…(the) water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple” (v.1) “…everything will live where the river goes.” (v.9) The Lord provides this life-giving water to his people through his holy temple.
Today as New Testament people, we are blessed to have the Lord Jesus Christ grant us his sacred Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist – The one true and eternal life-giving sustenance. “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:14-16) In Jesus’ words to the woman at the well, in Samaria: “…those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)
In Jesus’ name, we believe and proclaim him our Lord and King! In Jesus’ name, we claim our inheritance in him! Amen.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9
Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. (8-9)
Amen, Alleluia!
Second Reading: First Corinthians 3: 9c-11, 16-17
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. (16-17)
These are powerful, strong words by St. Paul, and they encourage us today. He compares himself (and by extension the apostles) to the skilled master builder who has laid the foundation of our holy church. We have been given the charge to build on the foundation — “Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. (v.10)” When we let the Holy Spirit work in and through us, we have a divine hedge of protection, around us. There is a promise here that our attackers will be destroyed too!
We praise the Lord for his mighty arm that avenges the oppressed. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Alleluia: Second Chronicles 7: 16
Alleluia, For now, I have chosen and consecrated this house so that my name may be there forever; my eyes and my heart will be there for all time.
Alleluia, Alleluia!!
Gospel: John 2: 13-22
Jesus told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” (16)
These words of Christ can be heard resoundingly in our hearts today as we navigate a treacherous world! We are the temple of the Holy Spirit but sometimes we may start collecting unwanted things in our hearts. Sometimes, we may find ourselves running down anxious paths or battling fears that paralyze us from doing the good we ought to be doing! These are indirect ploys of the evil one!
Let us Clean up with Jesus and Strengthen our hearts. Let us remove the debris of fear, guilt, shame, anxiety, greed, anger, lust and every other evil from our hearts. Let us fortify our temple in the Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
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