Cycle A - Year II:  

9 November 2014: Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica 

(Liturgical color: White)

John 2:13-22

We are God's Dwelling Place

The liturgical calendar takes a break in the observance of Ordinary Time in order to commemorate an important event on November 9. It falls on a Sunday and the Church celebrates the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

Every bishop has a cathedral, and the Pope's cathedral is the Basilica of St. John Lateran, and not the Basilica of St. Peter.

Let us recall the importance of today's Feast in the Church by a brief "throwback" in history:

In the early centuries Christianity was outlawed in Rome and many

Christians suffered martyrdom. But when the Emperor Constantine was converted to Christianity he allowed Christians to practice their religion in public. The Emperor gave the Lateran palace to the Pope, and later it was adapted to become a church, which was consecrated by Pope Sylvester on November 9, 324. It was first called the Basilica of the Savior, but later it was also dedicated to St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. Eventually, it was known as the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

Celebrating the Feast of the Dedication of the Pope's cathedral today shows our unity with the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth, as well as our love and respect for him. It also shows that we are united with each other in the Church. That is why the Basilica of St. John Lateran is also called "the mother and mistress of all churches of Rome and the world (omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput) as a sign of love for and union with the See of Peter. St. Paul described this unity in the Church in his first Letter to the Corinthians as the Body of Christ. (1 Cor. 12:27)

Short reflection on the Gospel:

We see Jesus cleansing the temple of defilement by proclaiming in strong words: ".. stop making my Father's house a marketplace!" (Jn 2:16)

The readings remind us of the different kinds of temples: the temple made of stone as the place we make our worship, the temple of Christ's Body as the Church, and our very own body as a temple of God.  In every kind of these temples, we must keep a proper and fitting dwelling place of God deserving of due respect. So that in the example of Christ cleansing the temples of "impurities" we must be ready to do the same whenever the need arises in our time.

As we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, let us also pray for those who have got lost through life that they may find the Church as a true mother and that our Lord Jesus Christ may become the foundation stone and the corner stone of their lives. Amen.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!