Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

“Wherever this water flows, the sea shall be made fresh” (Ezek. 47:8). The water flowing from the temple brings abundant life. We are the temple of the living God, and our living Lord causes rivers of living water to flow from our hearts (CF. Jn. 7:38). He who is the creator and sustainer of life will make us fountains of life-giving water for a thirsty world. The flow may begin as an insignificant trickle, but touched by the Spirit, it can satisfy the deepest thirst of every human heart. The Spirit dwelling in a temple made of living stones is the fountain of living water that flows through each believer into the world. From the living stones will flow rivers of living water to refresh and renew all God’s people.

A church building is brick and mortar, wood and glass, but the outstretched hands of the crucified Master support it. Its cornerstone is the stone rejected by the builders and pierced with the soldier’s lance. From that crevice in the rock, streams of living water flowed that became a cleansing bath in which we were freed from sin and made heirs of eternal life. The stone rejected by men has selected us to be water vessels for those longing for living water. As Jesus was willing to pour himself out to manifest his great love for the world, he wants us to be willing to pour ourselves out for the sake of the heavenly kingdom. Because we have thirsted for truth, good, and beauty, we can understand the thirst of our brothers and sisters. “We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that, we will be able to make this old world a new world. We will be able to make men better. Love is the only way… Oh God, help us in our lives and all of our attitudes, to work out this controlling force of love, this controlling power that can solve every problem that we confront” (Martin Luther King, Jr., “Loving Your Enemies”).