Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Jn 2:13-22
The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body.
After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Guided By Our Values
Catholic institutions have a strong vibrant mission. Many also have a strong brand to spread this mission. Sometimes, the values of the mission of the Catholic institution are enhanced, become more influential, and are strengthened by the robust brand. This allows the values of the Catholic institution to be spread to a larger community of people and influence the values of the land, i.e. missionary work introducing them to Jesus Christ.
Sometimes, though, the brand can be excessive and instead of serving the mission of an institution it becomes vice versa with the mission serving the brand. There is a challenging tension there. I believe Jesus is asking us to look at this tension more closely here and to reflect in deep prayer on this.
I believe a guiding light to this tension is looking always at how we are present to and treat the most underserved, powerless, and marginalized in our community. The Jesuit Universal Apostolic Preferences guide us and our institutions in this process.
It is here where we will most be introduced to the face of Christ.
—Dr. Sajit U. Kabadi is the Assistant Principal for Mission, Ministry, and Diversity at Regis Jesuit High School in Colorado.
Prayer
He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’
—Matthew 25:45