Sunday November 9th: Zeal for the Sacred Temple

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

“But if you do desecrate this temple, I will rebuild it in three days.”

John 2:13-22

‘Zeal for your house will devour me.’ Slowly but surely, it has grown to consume me, like a raging bull, so that no man can dare attempt to desecrate the contours of this house, the boundaries of this place.

This is my purpose: to keep holy what my ancestors have held holy from the beginning. The sacred home of my people. Not one stone must be tampered with.

Were you there when our forefathers laboured; tote stone and draw water from the river; invented mortar to hold-up the pillars. The artisans chiselling gargoyles to protect the four corners of this temple? So, don’t stare at me; take off your shoes; you are standing on holy ground.

Leave everything outside and enter here with a pure heart. Leave enmity with your brother; leave home invasion; cease trafficking my people.
Never cast dice for somebody cloak. Don’t sell nothing here in this clean house.

But if you do desecrate this temple, I will rebuild it in three days.
‘Three days yuh say.’
Yes, three days. Man and God say, ‘This country is my body.’