Celebrating the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

 Reflection on Today's Readings, the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Monday 9th November, 2020

Texts: Ez. 47:1-2.8-9.12; Ps. 46: 2-3.5-6.8-9; 1Cor. 9c-11.16-17; John 2:13-22

Today we celebrate the dedication of Lateran Basilica; it was built by emperor Constantine around 320 and is the seat of the Pope. The Basilica was first dedicated to the Most Holy Saviour, and later to St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist.

Celebrating the the Basilica as the cathedral of the Pope reminds us of our communion with the Pope. The Basilica is the sign of the unity of the Church. Today's celebration emphasizes one of the features of the Church as one: the Church is one because all her members are united under one head, the Pope (cf. Penny Catechism no: 95). As the seat of the Pope, Lateran Basilica is the mother of all the churches and so it brings to mind the universal solicitude of the Pope over all the churches.

Today's readings brings to mind some certain facts about the the Church. The first reading speaks of the Church as the source of living water that refreshes and makes humanity bears the fruits of holiness and increases the candidates for the kingdom of God. It reads: "the water was flowing down from the right side of the threshold of the temple....; and when it enters the stagnant waters of the sea, the water will become fresh. And wherever the river goes, every living creature which swarms will live, and there will be very many fish; for this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh". 

Water is the sign of Baptism which cleanses and regenerates humanity. The water of Baptism gives us a new birth, makes us children of God and the members of Christ's body, the Church. Through the water of Baptism God gives us sanctifying grace by which we become fruitful in holiness. The first reading says, "And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing." 

Water is also a symbol of the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 12:13). The water also reminds us of the water that flowed from Jesus' side. Jesus Christ is the temple from which the water flows. Hence, today's gospel reading links the temple with Jesus Christ. "Thus the Spirit is also personally the living water welling up from Christ crucified as its source and welling up in us to eternal life" (CCC no. 694).

The first reading invites us to have faith in the Church as the source of  holiness. The Church as the body of Christ is the temple from which the living water flows, water which gives life to all creatures and makes humanity fruitful in good works.

Today's celebration also reminds us that we are the temple of God. St. Paul, in today's second reading, says, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are." We are the living temple of God of which the physical structure stands as symbol. In the words of St. Caesarius of Arles, "My beloved brothers, if we want to celebrate the birthday of this church with true joy, we must not destroy the living temple of God within us by our sins. I shall put it in a way everybody can understand. Let your souls be as spotless and shinning as you want this church to be when you come to it. Do you want this basilica to be spotless? Do not defile your own soul with the filth of sin. If you want it to appear radiant with light, God also desires that your soul be not plunged in darkness, but that, in our Lord's words, 'the light of good works shine in us to give glory to him who is in heaven'. Just as you come into this church, so God wants to come into your soul, as he promised when he said: 'I will live in them and move among them'". Today's celebration reminds us of our consecration to God at our baptism.

Lord Jesus Christ, may our communion with your vicar be firm, our faith in your Church grow day by day, and may we always be holy as your temple. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke