Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. There are four major basilicas in Rome: St Peter, St Paul, St Mary Major, and St John Lateran. It seems like that St Peter seems to get more attention and glory when compared to the other basilicas. However, it is St John Lateran Basilica in Rome that is the oldest and the highest ranking of the four basilicas. It is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope, who is the Bishop of Rome. St John Lateran Basilica is also called the Church of Holy Savior or the Church of St. John Baptist. In ancient Rome this was the church where everyone was baptized. St John Lateran is the oldest church in the West, built in the time of the Emperor Constantine and consecrated by Pope Sylvester in 324.
Our first reading today from Ezekiel gives us the vision of a new temple, with life-giving water from from the temple. We know that through Israel’s history, they chose to leave God’s path many different times. While in exile, Ezekiel responds to God’s call to become his prophet. Ezekiel communicates his prophetic visions to the people of Israel, calling them back to the Lord. Ezekiel makes many different sacrifices in order to follow this prophetic call. In our reading today, Ezekiel’s vision foresees the glory of the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, when the Jews will be able to return back to Jerusalem from their exile.
Our celebration of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica today speaks to us about the importance of our parishes as places of community and worship. Our buildings and the Body of Christ that lives within them are important symbols, as is the symbol of each believer being a holy temple where the Holy Spirit lives within. As Ezekiel and the other prophets suffered and worked for the building up of God’s kingdom, may we continue to be living stones in God’s kingdom as we celebrate this historic basilica of Rome today, our Mother Church.
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