Rev. Fr Peter Adeyemi Challenges Catholics: Stop Turning God’s House into a Marketplace
Faithful Mark the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica with a Call to Reverence and Renewal
The Dean of Priests in Ife Deanery under the Osogbo Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Peter Adeyemi, has called on all Christians, especially Catholics, to rediscover the true essence of the Church as the dwelling place of God and not a mere assembly hall or social space.
The revered cleric, who also serves as the Parish Priest of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Pro-Cathedral, Lagere, Ile-Ife, delivered a deeply reflective and spiritually awakening homily during the Mass of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica on Sunday, 9th November 2025.
Addressing a large congregation gathered to celebrate the ancient feast—originally commemorating the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome in 324 AD—Fr. Adeyemi reminded worshippers that the Church stands firm over the centuries because it has refused to compromise the standard of God.
Historical and Spiritual Significance of the Feast
The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, observed every 9th of November, is not just a Roman commemoration but a universal celebration of the Church as the “Temple of God’s Presence among His People.”
Akahi News learnt that the Lateran Basilica, located in Rome, is the oldest and highest-ranking of the four major basilicas of the Catholic Church and is often regarded as the “Mother and Head of all Churches in the World.” Its dedication in 324 AD to the Most Holy Saviour marked a turning point in Christian history, symbolising the Church’s triumph after years of persecution.
Fr. Adeyemi used this rich heritage to remind the faithful that the Church building is not merely a structure of stone and marble, but a sacred space that mirrors the human soul — God’s true dwelling place.
“Wherever the Water Flows, There is Life” — Insights from the First Reading
Drawing from the First Reading (Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12), the priest explained that the Prophet Ezekiel’s vision of the water flowing from the temple signifies the life-giving presence of God.
“Wherever the water flows, there is life, fruitfulness, and the manifestation of God’s presence,” Fr. Adeyemi said, stressing that the presence of God revives, heals, and restores.
He urged the congregation to see themselves as channels of God’s life-giving presence to others — people whose words and deeds bring peace, not pollution; healing, not hurt.
“You Are God’s Building” — Reflection on the Second Reading
Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 3:9c–11, 16–17, Fr. Adeyemi recalled St. Paul’s imagery of the believer as a spiritual structure built by God’s grace.
“St. Paul refers to us bluntly as God’s building — the dwelling place of the Almighty. Anyone who destroys the temple of God, God will destroy that person,” he declared solemnly.
He challenged the faithful to examine their lives and relationships, warning against moral decay, hypocrisy, and spiritual negligence.
“If you find that your life, your attitude, or your character no longer suits the dwelling place of God, make the effort to do better. God’s house — whether your heart or His church — must remain holy.”
“Jesus Cleansed the Temple — We Must Cleanse Ourselves Too”
Turning to the Gospel Reading (John 2:13–22), Fr. Adeyemi vividly described Jesus’ righteous anger as He drove out money changers and traders from the temple in Jerusalem.
“When Jesus entered the temple and saw how it was desecrated by greed and noise, He acted decisively. He pushed them out. He cleansed the temple. We must also have the courage to eject bad habits from our lives,” the cleric declared, his voice resonating with passion.
He emphasised that sometimes spiritual cleansing requires firm, even painful, action.
“Bad habits don’t leave on their own. We must intentionally and courageously throw them out — whether it’s dishonesty, pride, gossip, or moral laxity. We cannot expect holiness if we remain comfortable with filth.”
A Stern Warning Against Disrespecting God’s Presence
In a moment of sharp yet loving rebuke, Rev. Fr. Adeyemi addressed a growing trend among some Catholics who leave the church during Mass to answer phone calls or engage in unnecessary conversations.
He lamented:
“Some Catholics dash outside the church to pick calls during Mass — right in the presence of the eternal Monarch and Judge of all. It’s a shameful act! You cannot behave that way even in a courtroom where mortal judges preside.”
The priest reminded the congregation that the Mass is heaven on earth, where Jesus Christ becomes truly present in the Eucharist.
“If you wouldn’t dare disrespect a mortal ruler, how dare you disrespect the King of kings in His sanctuary?” he asked rhetorically, as the congregation fell into a thoughtful silence.
“The Church is Not an Auditorium” — Call to Deeper Worship
The Ife Deanery leader reiterated that the Catholic Church is not an auditorium or entertainment hall, but a place of worship, reflection, and divine encounter.
He urged parishioners to always prepare spiritually before entering the church, to be conscious of their disposition towards God, and to maintain a spirit of reverence during liturgical celebrations.
“When you step into the church, remember: you have come to encounter the Lord. Ask yourself — what is my attitude before God? Do my words and actions glorify Him, or do they distract others?”
Fr. Adeyemi passionately called for a renewal of reverence and discipline among Catholics, noting that holiness begins with how one honours God’s house.
“Destroy This Temple, and I Will Rebuild It” — Jesus Points to Himself
When the religious authorities challenged Jesus for cleansing the temple, He replied, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days.”
Fr. Adeyemi explained that Jesus was not referring to the physical structure, but to His body — the true temple of God.
“Christ Himself is the new temple. In Him, God dwells fully. By our baptism, we share in that holiness. That is why our bodies and hearts must also be kept sacred,” he said.
He noted that just as the temple of Jerusalem was purified, Christians must constantly allow their lives to be purified by grace, so they can reflect the holiness of God in the world.
A Call to Rebuild the Spiritual Temple
Fr. Adeyemi’s homily ended with a powerful challenge to the faithful to rebuild the spiritual temple of their lives and homes through prayer, discipline, charity, and faith.
“Let us make our hearts — and our parish — a true dwelling place of God. Let us remove distractions, irreverence, and sin from our midst,” he urged.
“Let our words, actions, and relationships become pleasing sacrifices before the Lord.”
He reminded the congregation that the Church’s enduring strength through the centuries — from its early persecutions to its modern challenges — lies in its unwavering fidelity to God’s standard.
“The Church of Christ stands because she refuses to compromise with the world. Let us hold fast to that same truth, so that our lives, too, will not collapse when trials come.”
A Timeless Message of Faith and Renewal
As the Mass drew to a close, the faithful of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Pro-Cathedral, Lagere, Ile-Ife, reflected deeply on the priest’s words. The homily was not only a theological exposition but also a moral awakening — a reminder that the Church, both physical and spiritual, remains holy only when its members live in holiness.
The celebration of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica thus became a moment of renewal, calling every believer to rebuild the temple within and restore the reverence owed to the House of God.
“Let us make the house of God the dwelling place of God,” Fr. Adeyemi repeated — a timeless reminder that still echoes across the centuries from Rome to Ile-Ife.
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By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
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