During Mass marking the anniversary of the consecration of the Parish Church of Our Lady of Grace in Ħaż-Żabbar, Archbishop Charles Jude Scicluna reflected on the Christian calling to recognise and respect the divine presence within each person.
“Jesus said, ‘You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church,’” the Archbishop noted, explaining that the word Church refers both to the community of believers and to the sacred building that gathers them. “The temple made of stone is a sign of the people gathered in faith. The building takes its name from the Church – the people – not the other way around.”
Archbishop Scicluna recalled that the Żabbar church, consecrated in 1784 by Bishop Labini, stands as a testament to centuries of faith. Yet, he reminded the faithful that the true temple of God is not only made of stone but “built of living persons.”
“As priests incense the walls of this holy church, they also remind us that we ourselves are temples of the Lord, worthy of reverence and care,” he said. “Just as we protect and beautify this sacred place, we must also care for one another — because we are the living temple of the Lord.”
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Photos: Curia
