Worshipping God in spirit and in truth
8TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C/CHURCH DEDICATION, ST. JOSEPH MUKASA, GIDAN MANGORO, FCT. HOMILY BY ARCHBISHOP I. A. KAIGAMA.
READINGS: NEHEMIAH 8:1-4A, 5-6.8-10; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:16-21; JOHN 4:19-24
THEME: Worshipping God in spirit and in truth
Today, with great joy, I come to celebrate this day with you: your church dedication and the conferment of the sacrament of confirmation on your church members. We thank God the Almighty for granting you the resources to build a befitting place of worship here. We thank all the parishioners who were actively involved in the project.
After we dedicate a place as a church, it becomes a house that unites us, in it we are attracted to God, and being with God unites us with one another as we try to live out God’s message of love, mercy, and justice daily. This church must not be a mere building; it must be a home for the poor, a school of discipleship, and a light in the community. We consecrate this building as a house of God, a dwelling place of His presence among His people, and a commitment to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.
The three Readings today are intended to show us, under very different aspects, the meaning of a sacred building as a house of God, where we worship.
The first reading from the book of Nehemiah presents a powerful scene where the people of Israel gathered as one, listening attentively to the reading of the Law. They stood in reverence, lifting their hands, bowing their heads, and committing to worshiping the Lord. The Word of God became the foundation of their renewal and joy.
At the end of the reading is joy: people are invited to the solemn banquet; they are urged to make a gift to those who have nothing and thereby unite everyone in the joyful communion that is based on the Word of God. The reading ends in these beautiful and encouraging words: “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” May all of you who gather here reading and meditating on the word of God as a community go away determined to do good to others.
In the second reading, St. Paul speaks about the Eucharist as the true body and blood of Christ, a sacrament that unites us as one body in Christ. A church is a place where the community gathers around the altar to partake in the one bread and one cup. As we dedicate this church, we make it a place where the Holy Eucharist is celebrated with reverence and devotion. May we also reject all divisions and various forms of idolatry, and remain faithful to Christ.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman, revealing that true worship is not confined to a place but is done in spirit and in truth. This reminds us that the beauty of this church is not only in its physical structure but in the hearts of the faithful who worship here.
Our last general assembly, in November 2024, had as its theme: “Deepening our Catholic identity and spirituality. “Some Catholics don’t see the church as a place of encounter with God but continue to wander everywhere looking for powerful preachers and miracle workers seeking what they left here in the church, outside the church. This church, now consecrated, is a visible sign of God’s presence among us. Here, the sacraments will be celebrated; here, prayers will be lifted up; here, sinners will find mercy, and the faithful will be strengthened. But this building alone is not the Church –we are the Church.
The true dedication that matters is the dedication of our hearts to the Lord. A church dedication is also a moment of the consecration of a people.
Today, we set apart this house of prayer, not only as a sacred space for worship but as a sign of our commitment to be living stones in the Church of Christ, for “God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). To this, St. Paul will admonish us thus: “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons “(1 Cor. 10:21). And so, we cannot partake of worship here and later take part in any demonic sacrifice. That would mean leaving double standards of life.
There is a need for unity, coming together as one, for the common good. After their return from exile, the people on arrival found themselves facing a wasteland. How were they to rebuild it? Both the king and the people offered their time, talents, and resources to rebuild the temple of the Lord. This would not have been possible unless the people were first rebuilt as a people and a justice system built that would unite them all and regulate the life and activity of each one.
As I conclude, may I ask all the faithful to persevere in unity and I am calling on people of goodwill to generously support the task of contributing to evangelization by supporting the building of churches in the new pastoral areas that are still struggling and complicated by this harsh economic times.
As we prepare to begin the season of Lent, the holy season of penitence, repentance, and reconciliation, let us be encouraged to apply ourselves to its discipline, renewing our dedication and commitment to Christ, and to commit our bodies as living stones in the Church of Christ.
To those to be confirmed today, 148 of you, the readings challenge you in particular, to live your lives, henceforth, bearing the fruits of the Spirit. You cannot afford to continue to live your life as if nothing has changed. The Holy Spirit you receive through the laying of hands should transform your lives into true and committed missionaries and worshippers of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May God open our ears to listen to His word, to bring an end to corruption and immorality through our lifestyle, and to reveal the presence of God everywhere we go. Amen.
