Monday of the Thirty-Second week in Ordinary Time (Feast of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica). Ezekiel 47:1-2,8-9,12; I Cor. 3:9-11,16-17; John 2:13-22
Today we celebrate the dedication of the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, the Mother and head of all the Churches of the City and the world. Many Catholics think St Peter’s Basilica is the seat of Rome; they are wrong. It has always been the Basilica of St. John Lateran; that same Church that was built by Emperor Constantine on Lateran Hill in 324 AD.
The Lateran Basilica was dedicated to the Most Holy Saviour, and Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, respectively. Holy Mother Church has celebrated this feast since the Twelfth Century, as a symbol of her respect for the authority Jesus first gave to Saint Peter, which has been passed down in an unbroken succession from Pope to Pope, down the ages to Pope Leo XIV.
The readings for today remind us of the holiness and sanctity that sanctuaries have. We must never forget that God’s house must be treated with reverence. We must not turn the Church to venues for trade and barter, especially this Harvest Season. We must not turn adoration to a jamboree. But beyond buildings of stone and pillars, we are God’s buildings; living stones making up God’s house. Do we still realise that the Spirit of God dwells in us?
Friends, today we have another opportunity to wash and purify ourselves so that we can be living tabernacles wherever we go. Jesus Christ will not smile at us when we continue to turn his Father’s house into a market place. The immorality must stop. Lying and gossip, envy and jealousy, scandal and backbiting must stop. Let us run to the confessional today. Jesus Christ is waiting.
Let us pray!
We pray for God’s glory may His Kingdom come, we pray for His Vicar, our Holy Father Pope Leo, and Rome, that God may continue to guide, guard and protect His Church, Amen.
God bless your week ahead.
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