Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Liturgy of the Word 

Ez. 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; 

Ps. 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; 

1 Cor. 3:9-11, 16-17; 

Jn. 2:13-22.

Today, Pope Leo XIV will preside over Holy Mass at St. John Lateran. 

Some Notes on the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica:

1. In 313, the Emperor Constantine granted full liberty to Christians. They began building churches. Constantine himself constructed churches, one of which was a magnificent basilica, over the ancient palace of the Laterani family. Around 324, it was dedicated by Pope Sylvester I to Christ the Savior. A chapel dedicated to St. John the Baptist was built inside it, which served as the baptistry. This moved Pope Sergius to dedicate it to St. John the Baptist as well. Lastly, Pope Lucius also dedicated it to St. John the Evangelist in the 12th century. 

2. Thus, the official title of this Papal Basilica is “the Archbasilica Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and of Sts. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist in the Lateran,” but most often called the Basilica of St. John Lateran. It is the cathedral of the diocese of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope. It is his parish church, not the Basilica of St. Peter. 

3. It is the “mother and head of all churches of the city and the world,” (“omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput”), the oldest and highest ranking of the four major basilicas in Rome, the other three being the Basilicas of St. Peter, of St. Paul Outside the Walls, and of St. Mary Major. 

4. The Lateran Basilica was destroyed several times in the course of centuries, and always rebuilt. The final reconstruction took place under the pontificate of Pope Benedict XIII. The church was rededicated in 1724. It was at that time that the feast was established and extended to the universal Church. After the Avignon papacy, the Pope returned to Rome and changed his residence from the Lateran to the Vatican.

5. 1st Reading,  Ez. 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 --- The prophet Ezekiel describes a fantastic, hopeful vision of a new temple for the exiled people of Israel. He sees water flowing from the temple, flowing like a river to the east and south, refreshing the sea and filled with every living creature. Everything lives where the river goes. Along its banks, every kind of fruit tree will  grow and bear fresh fruit, “because the waters of the river flow out from the sanctuary” (v. 12).

6. 2nd Reading,  1 Cor. 3:9-11, 16-17 — “For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building” (v. 9).  Paul speaks of many like himself who use their various charisms to build the church on the foundation of Christ (vv. 9-11). He adds, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple, 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” (vv. 16-17).

7. Gospel, Jn. 2: 13-22 — With the approach of Passover, Jesus goes up to Jerusalem from Capernaum. He finds the temple area serving as a market for the sale of oxen, sheep and doves. Using a whip, he drives them all out, including the money changers (vv. 13-15). “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace” (v. 16).  

8. The disciples remember the Scriptures, “Zeal for your house will consume me” (v. 17; see Ps. 69:9). The Jews ask by what authority Jesus did this. Jesus answers, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (v. 19).  The Jews express their disbelief. “This temple has been under construction for 46 years and you will raise it up in three days?” (v. 20). But Jesus is talking about the temple of his body. After the resurrection of Jesus, the disciples remembered his words and “came to believe the scriptures and Jesus’ words” (vv. 21-22).

9. The Liturgy of the Word today develops the theme of “temple.” In the 1st Reading, the prophet Ezekiel describes the new temple as a meeting place, where the people would pray and venerate God and where God would draw near to them. It would be a temple that would bring the water of life and blessing to His people. 

10. In the Gospel, Jesus casts out the sellers and money changers from the Temple’s Court of Gentiles. The prophet Zechariah had prophesied that when the Lord would come into Jerusalem, “On that day... there shall no longer be a trader in the house of the Lord” (Zac. 14:21). 

11. Our churches are houses of God, places of God’s presence. We are also reminded today that each one of us is a “house of God,” because the Holy Spirit dwells in us. We need to be more than aware of God’s presence within us,  continually loving and protecting us.

12. Prayer — O God, from living and chosen stones, you prepare an eternal dwelling place for your majesty. Increase in your Church, we pray, the spirit of grace you have bestowed, so that by new growth your faithful people may build up the heavenly Jerusalem, through Christ our Lord. Amen.