Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
The most important temple is the temple of a person’s soul because God dwells within each one of us, in the most secret centre of our being.
In addition to the temple of the soul, there are many sacred places throughout the world. There are shrines, churches, basilicas, grottos, cathedrals, and other holy places that are set aside for the sole purpose of worshipping God. They are to be a Heaven on earth, a place where we join with the Seraphim and Cherubim singing praises to the Most Holy Trinity. Today’s feast commemorates one such a place. In the city of Rome, there are four major basilicas. St John Lateran is one of them and it is the oldest and most important, because it is the Pope’s cathedral. Not the Vatican which most people think about.
This means St John Lateran Basilica is not only the mother church of the Archdiocese of Rome but also the mother church of the entire Catholic Faith.
In 312 when ‘Constantine the Great’ became ruler of the Western Roman Empire, he took possession of the Lateran Palace and gave it to the Pope. The construction of the first Basilica in Rome began. Upon its completion in the year 324, it was dedicated by Pope Sylvester and given the name the ‘House of God’, with a special designation to Christ the Saviour. ‘Constantine the Great’ did much to help the Catholic Church flourish after legalising its practice. He saw to it that the Lateran Basilica was beautifully decorated.
Up until that time, the Church had suffered greatly, always fearing persecution and death. Now it has its first cathedral in the heart of Rome, with the Roman Emperor’s full support.
In the Gospel, we witness Jesus entering the Temple in Jerusalem and driving out the money changers. His zeal for His Father’s house is striking: “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” This moment is not just about cleansing a physical space, it’s a prophetic act pointing to a deeper truth. When challenged, Jesus says, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” St. John tells us He was speaking of the temple of His body, when he laid in the tomb for three days before His Resurrection.
The Lateran Basilica stands as a symbol of unity in the Church. We worship in many parishes and chapels, we are one Church, one Body in Christ. This feast reminds us of our communion with the Pope and with one another. It is a call to build up the Church not just with bricks, but with lives of holiness, charity, and fidelity.
As we celebrate the dedication of this ancient basilica, let us renew our dedication to being living temples of God.
May our hearts be places of prayer, our lives signs of unity, and our communities reflections of the holiness of the Church.
And may Christ, who zealously cleansed the Temple, purify us so that we may truly be His dwelling place.
Today, we also pray for our own Diocese of Lancaster and Bishop Paul, all the religious orders throughout the UK, and the Universal Church in general.
Our churches are sacred places that exist to be places where we can come to encounter the Lord. So, we pray especially for the Pope Leo today, asking the Lord to help him and support him, in mind, body and soul, may he receive many blessing on his Papal See.
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