The Living Church!

Sunday, November 9, 2025

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

Ez 47:1-2,8-9,12; 1 Cor 3:9c-11,16-17; Jn 2:13-22

Today our Mother Church celebrates the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, also known as the Cathedral Church of the Bishop of Rome – the Pope. We might often assume St. Peter’s Basilica to be the Pope’s Church. But such honor is only reserved for the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Hence, this is the Mother and Head of all Churches in the world. In other words, this is the spiritual home of all Catholics.

Usually when a parish church is dedicated, it becomes a feast for the entire parish community. Likewise, the dedication of the Lateran Basilica is a feast for the universal Catholic Church. For this reason, the Basilica of St. John Lateran stands as a visible sign of unity and belongingfor every Catholic, uniting all believers together around the successor of St. Peter. It reminds us of the fact that the members of the Church are not isolated entities but live in close communion with the whole Body of Christ.

While celebrating the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, we are invited to look beyond the physical building to discover the deeper meaning of the feast that we, the Temples of God, must continue to preserve our identity through our lives. In other words, we understand that each baptized person, consecrated by the Spirit of God, is a dwelling place of God, and therefore, it is our responsibility to retain the baptismal identity intact. 

The readings of the day help us reflect on the theme. 

In the first reading, we find prophet Ezekiel envisioning water flowing from the Temple, transforming the salty sea into fresh water, thus ensuring life, bringing healing, and assuring abundance wherever it runs. This vision of the prophet symbolizes the life-affirming grace of God flowing from His presence into the world.

In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that each member of the believing community is a living Temple of God. The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is a reminder to conduct our lives in holy blamelessness. On the contrary, a self-centered life becomes a countersign, defying the very presence of God within us. 

In the Gospel, we find Jesus revealing his authority in cleansing the Temple and thus, declaring himself to be the true and everlasting Temple where the Divine-human encounter becomes possible by means of his death and resurrection. Jesus, the new Temple, is where the heaven and earth are reconciled.

The readings of the day help us with powerful insights for continued reflection on the feast. 

1. Just as we find in prophet Ezekiel’s vision, God’s people are invited to be a source of life, healing, and renewal. The presence of God in us reveals itself in and through transforming love.

2. As Paul reminds us, recalling our baptismal identity as Temples of God would mean that we not only recognize God’s presence within us but also treat every person as a Temple of God. In this way, a life of holiness is not strictly individual but about enriching and building the faith community too. 

3. Jesus’ act of cleansing the Temple of God is a reminder that we need to purify our inner temples so that an authentic encounter and heart-level communion with Christ is made possible. Our union with Jesus is a precondition for our solidarity with others. 

Let us pray that we may become the living church by radiating Christ in our lives. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar