Christians have been urged to keep their bodies free from the contamination of sin since they are temples of God. This message was delivered by Msgr. John Vianney Sunday, Vicar General of Kabale Diocese during Mass to celebrate the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica yesterday. While meeting volunteers of Radio Maria Kabale and Radio Maria Mbarara at Rushoroza Pastoral Centre, Msgr. John Vianney said that Jesus entered the temple and cleansed it by chasing away those who were profaning by selling different items from there. One of the items that was sold in the temple was a dove which is a symbol of Holy Spirit and selling sacred things in exchange for money is simony. The house of God is not a place to do anything you feel like doing.
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 him, for God’s temple is holy and that temple you are (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)
Msgr. John Vianney Sunday said the reading of St. Paul reminds us that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit, the house of God, therefore take care of this house of God. The sins we commit chase God from this house. Think of the many times you have chased God from his house. Jesus says in the Gospel of John that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood remains in him and Jesus in him. However, often times the sins committed chase him from his temple (our bodies). But worthy reception of the Blessed Sacrament with proper disposition allows Jesus to be in us so that we may have life in full.
He thanked all those volunteers who spare their time to teach others on Radio Maria, by sacrificing their transport and time and without pay. This is an act of charity. He urged all those who go on air to always do preparation. Secondly, don’t say what you are not sure of. Be sincere to yourself and humble. Then go and do research so that you give people what you are sure of. He used the same opportunity to warn those who have divulged into fanaticism and that a number of people have sought their own things using the name of religion. He appealed to all those who get chance to be on air, to kindly help people and direct them to the right path.
Msgr. John Vianney explained that for a church to be called a dedicated one, its altar bears the relics of the saint and so is the Lateran Basilica. This is the oldest and major church in the world. It is also the Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist in the Lateran. It is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome in the city of Rome, and serves as the seat of the bishop of Rome who is the Pope.
In the city of Rome, there are four major basilicas. The first three are Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, and the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. The fourth is the Archbasilica Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist in the Lateran, also called Saint John Lateran, or in short the Lateran Basilica. Of the four major basilicas, the oldest and most important is Saint John Lateran, the dedication of which is remembered on November 9. Though the pope now lives next to Saint Peter’s Basilica, Saint John Lateran is the official cathedral of Rome. That means Saint John Lateran is not only the Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Rome but also the Mother Church of the entire world.
Mary, help of Christians, pray for us.