Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica.
"Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
"He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there.
He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said,
“Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”
"At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?”
"Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”
"The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?”
"But he was speaking about the temple of his Body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken." (John 2: 13 - 22).
Thursday 9th November 2023 of the 31st Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. The Church of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome.
The Lateran has been known as the "Mother and head of all churches of Rome and the world."
Why is this an important feast? In the Gospel of today, Jesus expressed outrage at the way the holy Temple was desecrated. “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”
It is therefore appropriate to reflect on the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the theme of the sanctity of the Place of Abode of God. Every Catholic Church is consecrated to be holy and equipped with the Altar of the Blessed Sacrament. Below are a few reasons why today's feast is very important.
#1 The Church is the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. The destiny of the Church is prophesied in the Entrance Antiphon for today:
"I saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband." (Cf Revelation 21: 2).
#2 The Lateran Basilica is the Church of the Pope, Successor St Peter and Universal Pastor of the flock of Jesus Christ.
#3 This feast is celebrated worldwide and makes the faithful remember these important truths of our salvation. Especially the truth that the Church is Catholic, that is, universal.
#4 It is God's desire to dwell with us. "Behold God’s dwelling with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people, and God himself with them will be their God." (Cf Revelation 21: 3 Entrance Antiphon). The physical church is a symbol of this mystery.
As we celebrate this feast with joy, we remember that we are the chosen and living stones that form the eternal Temple of the Most Holy God.
Let us pray especially today for the growth of the Church, for the unity of all Christians, for many vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, missionaries, catechists and evangelists and of course for the Holy Father Pope Francis.
November is the Month we pray for the Souls in PURGATORY.
“One of the holiest works, one of the best exercises of piety, which we can practice in this world, is to offer sacrifices, alms and prayer for the dead.” (St John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church).
For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html
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