THE CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST
We celebrate this Feast of the Dedication of St. John
Lateran because this is the parish church for all Catholics because it is the
pope's cathedral.
Here are a few
examples of Religious symbols:
Oil - is for blessing and healing
Water - symbolizes repentance
Cross - symbolizes the redeeming Power of Christ
Bible - by placing our hands on it, it symbolizes integrity
In the Catholic
Church, material objects play an important role along with our religious
practices. In the Sacraments we use water, various oils, wine, wheat, wax,
fire, and plants. We also have many sacramental's, like the rosary, medals,
scapulars, etc. For all this use of material objects we also have to learn the
importance of taking care of our environment and the world in which we live in.
Our natural resources
are precious and deserve to be respected and cared for. The first reading is a
hymn to water; it is the element that sustains all of our life, and our lives
are most precious to "Our God." In the second reading, St. Paul addresses the populace of Corinth, a city known at the time for great
numbers and the variety of its temples. The Apostle uses this fact to remind
the Corinthians of the sacredness of their bodies.
We celebrate this
Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran because this is the parish church
for all Catholics because it is the pope's cathedral. You could say that it's
the "Mother Church" of all churches. This is
the spiritual home of the people who are the Church, the Body of Christ. Please
go to the link for the Saint of the Day and for the rest of today's reflection
and read the history of the Basilica of St. John Lateran!