Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, one of the four major basilicas in Rome. All the other basilicas in the world are considered minor basilicas. It may seem like that St Peter gets more attention and glory compared to the other basilicas, but it is St John Lateran Basilica in Rome that is the oldest and the highest ranking of those four basilicas. St John Lateran is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. St John Lateran is also called the Church of the Holy Savior or the Church of St. John Baptist. In ancient Rome this was the church where everyone was baptized. It 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 his prophetic call. Ezekiel’s vision foresees the glory of the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, when the Jews will be able to return back to Jerusalem from exile.
The feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica 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 of our faith. 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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