Just as you provided assistance to those who sought your powerful guidance during your earthly existence, may you extend your favor to those who have constructed this beautiful temple, endeavoring to elevate earthly matters toward heavenly aspirations. Particularly, we implore your support, for your benevolent influence is no longer growing but reaches its complete fulfillment, unencumbered by the humility that once concealed your grace. As you have guided many from disbelief to faith, from sin to repentance and spiritual renewal, as well as healed the sick and alleviated the troubled, so too may you assist all who enter this sacred space. Help them discover that which is good and beneficial: the unknowing gaining understanding of the truth, the sinful finding repentance, the repentant receiving forgiveness, those striving achieving success, the ailing gaining health, the distressed finding deliverance, the needy receiving aid, and the sorrowful comfort—all guiding them toward spiritual salvation.
In addressing those gathered to celebrate the dedication of the temple, I feel this moment calls for reflection on the significance of the temple. I turn to one of the Gospel narratives that is noteworthy, though perhaps not immediately apparent, concerning the doctrine of the temple. The holy Evangelist Luke introduces us to the early life of our Lord Jesus Christ, much of which was spent in obscurity. He recounts that when Jesus was twelve years old, He traveled to Jerusalem with His Most Pure Mother and her betrothed, Joseph, for the Feast of Passover. The Evangelist highlights this journey, emphasizing that during this time, the young Jesus demonstrated wisdom in the temple that astounded the Jewish teachers. To underscore the importance of this journey, the Evangelist notes that ‘His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of Passover’ (Luke 2:41).
Can we discern the significance of God’s temple in this account? Why did Mary and Joseph not observe the Passover at home in Nazareth? Why must they go to Jerusalem? The reason: the temple of God was located there. To truly celebrate and honor God, they needed to be present at His temple. Mary and Joseph could have justified remaining at home, pointing to the holiness of their own household—perhaps even holier than the temple itself, for they had Christ with them. I cannot fully gauge Joseph's comprehension of this, while Mary treasured the Lord’s mysterious words in her heart; however, she understood from the Annunciation that the child born to her was ‘the Son of God,’ whose ‘kingdom shall have no end.’ Thus, we see the profound significance of God’s temple. Even those who had the Lord of the temple in their own home still sought to worship Him within the temple. Jesus, the Lord of the temple, partook in this communal act of worship, teaching us to hold God’s temple in reverence.
It is evident how unsteady is the reasoning of those who turn away from God’s consecrated temple, believing that they can find sufficiency in private prayers or makeshift prayer spaces. It is worth noting that the temple in Jerusalem, to which Mary and Joseph traveled, was the singular cathedral and parish church, serving all Jerusalem, the entirety of Israel, and indeed the whole world. Their journey required days of travel from Nazareth. In light of this, how disgraceful it is for any of us to consider our convenience while we live close to a house of worship, hear the ringing of church bells summoning us, and yet choose to remain at home or occupied with worldly affairs.
After celebrating the feast in the temple, Mary and Joseph began their journey home. Yet, what transpired? ‘The child Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and Joseph and His mother did not understand’ (Luke 2:43). It is indeed startling! How could Mary and Joseph, in their care among the throngs of people, fail to notice the absence of their divine treasure, their son Jesus? This oversight might be understandable in light of the large crowds, but it remains surprising. What deeper understanding can we draw from this event? I believe it was by divine design that this incident was recorded, illustrating that ‘whatever was written was written for our admonition’ (Rom. 15:4). The lesson for us is clear: those who drift from God’s temple and become lost in the distractions and emptiness of the world risk losing sight of Christ in their hearts and minds.
Christians are called to carry Christ within them through the power of the sacraments. The prophet foretold: ‘Unto us a child is born, a Son is given’ (Isaiah 9:6). The Apostle asserts: ‘As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ’ (Galatians 3:27). The Lord promises: ‘He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him’ (John 6:56). This intimate connection with Christ is felt by those leading a robust faith and virtuous life as light, peace, strength, and life surpassing ordinary human existence; hence, the Apostle declares: ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me’ (Galatians 2:20). I urge each of you to examine your own hearts: do you experience the blessed closeness and saving presence of Lord Jesus, or has He become obscured by your indifference, which often strikes those who stray from the sanctuary of the Divine Temple due to negligence or deviation from the true path of the Church?
Some, recognizing their lack of communion with Christ, seek fulfillment in the worldly paths of humanity, often turning to secretive or familiar societies, believing they can foster holiness without the divine grace offered from God, without the church, its sanctity, or the priesthood. Should you question their motivations for such pursuits, their response is often centered on familial ties, friends, or acquaintances within those circles. What success might such a search yield? The Gospel records the experience of those who sought Jesus for the right reasons but with limited success, noting: ‘They sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances, and not finding Him, returned’ (Luke 2:44-45). Anyone who departs from the church to seek Christ through the bias of familiarity or lured by cunning rhetoric will inevitably find disappointment and may come to regret their fruitless endeavors—perhaps too late.
Yet, any Christian soul, acutely aware of the painful absence of the Lord Jesus, whether due to sin that has distanced you from Him, or the misguided notions that have drawn you away, I encourage you to embrace the motivation of grace to earnestly seek Him, for the surest path to finding Christ is through the sacred footsteps of His Most Pure Mother and Joseph. They did not lose the Lord Jesus due to negligence, but by the providential design meant to guide you in your search for Him. ‘They returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. And it came to pass after three days, that they found Him in the temple’ (Luke 2:45-46). So too, wherever you may have strayed, return to the spiritual Jerusalem, seek Christ the Savior within the church, through its prayers, sacraments, and teachings. If not immediately, then in due time, with diligent repentance, you will undoubtedly encounter His merciful presence, along with your joy, salvation, and eternal bliss. Amen.
THEOSIS