Zeal for the House of God

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

November 8, 2021, Tuesday

Readings: Click here to read in full
    Reading I: Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
    Reading II: 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17
    Gospel: Jn 2:13-22

Basilica Altar: Pope's eye view 

Today, being the mother church of the world, St. John Lateran Basilica’s celebration of the Anniversary of her dedication is celebrated worldwide. Of the four major basilicas in Rome, this Basilica the oldest and highest ranking. As the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, this is the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. 

This feast reminds us of the essential truth that the edifice, the temple made of stones, is a symbol of the Christian community, which is the mystical body of Christ, the Church. St. Paul in the Second Reading teaches us that each person is a temple of God and thereby holy. He said: "Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy." As all temples are, each one, therefore, is a holy place of worship where God’s presence resides. The first reading expounds that from us, as God’s temple, flows living water that gives life, that nourishes all life so that they may bear fruits that serve as food and medicine.

Since this is the essential truth of who we are, let us ask ourselves, Am I, like Jesus in our Gospel, passionately zealous for the House of God, for Jesus’ Body? How am I as God’s temple? Are others able to worship God who dwells in me? Is the water flowing through me nourishing others to bear fruits? Am I a life-giving person? In this Eucharist, let us pray for this grace, that we may truly be living our lives as God’s holy temple, as the Body of Christ. 

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: flickr.com