Feast of the Dedication of the
Lateran Basilica in Rome
(Ezekiel
47:1-2.8-9.12; I Corinthians 3:9c-11.16-17; John 2:13-22)
Today’s feast, the Dedication of St. John Lateran, is
somewhat of an anomaly. That is, it is
somewhat unusual. We seldom celebrate
the anniversaries of churches. But the
Lateran Basilica, as St. John’s is often called, is also known as the “mother
church of Christendom” or “the pope’s church.”
In celebrating it we celebrate all Christian churches.
Today’s gospel shows Jesus driving money-changers from the Temple area. Speaking of anomalies, we see Jesus in this
scene, which is repeated in each of the four gospels, using force. He did not regularly resort to arms or tolerate
their employment. Jesus remains the
Prince of Peace who warned us that the one who “lives by the sword dies by the
sword” and commanded us to “love your enemies.”
Yet he takes us the whip evidently as an extreme act to show necessary
regard for God’s house.
We should have a similar reverence for our churches. God can encounter humans anywhere He
chooses. But we build churches that
glorify Him so that He might choose to meet us there regularly. As we enter church, we customarily dip our
fingers in the holy water font and make the sign of the cross. This signifies our cleansing ourselves of the
contaminants of the world – the inordinate desire for fame, fortune, and fun –
so that we might listen to God talk to our hearts.
