"Every man and woman is a true sanctuary of God."

Ave Maria! While in Spain, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Obra Beneficio Social Nen Deu, a centre which provides medical and educational services to children and young adults with disabilities. In his address to the residents, staff and visitors there, our Holy Father emphasized that "every man and woman is a true sanctuary of God, and should be treated with the highest respect and affection."

The second reading (1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17) for today's feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran in Rome reminds us of this very same thing: we are God's building ... we are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in us ... the temple of God, which we are, is holy.

As the saying goes, "God don't make no junk!" We heard this recently at Sunday Mass from the book of Wisdom, that God loves love all things that are and loathes nothing that He has made; for what He hated, He would not have fashioned (11:24). Indeed, God has made everything good and beautiful in its time (Eccl. 3:11), including us. The psalmist tells us that the Lord King delights in our beauty, He is enthralled by it and greatly longs for it (Ps 45:11). Listen to this Responsory for the first reading in the Office of Readings for the Common of Virgins from the Liturgy of the Hours :

"The King has desired your beauty,
which he himself has given you...
He has provided for you and adorned you;
he has redeemed you and made you holy."

And this is true for all of us, not just for the Brides of Christ! God gave us His own beauty when He made us in His image and likeness. He has come to dwell within each one of us, making us His sanctuary, His temple, His dwelling-place. We are His workmanship, His handiwork, His masterpiece, created to do His good works (Eph 2:10).

"You are amazing grace.

You are a precious jewel.

You, special miraculous,

unrepeatable, fragile,

fearful, tender, lost,

sparkling ruby

emerald jewel

rainbow splendor

person."

Joan Baez

O Lord and Lover of Souls,

how good and sweet is Your imperishable Spirit in us!

May I always love Your sanctuary,

the place where Your glory dwells,

proclaiming aloud Your praise

and telling of all Your wonders (Ps 26:8, 7).

Amen.