Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
(Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17; John
2:13-22)
Perhaps you are wondering, as I am, why we celebrate the
dedication of a church. Also, how can the feast of the dedication of a church replace
Sunday, the Lord's Day? It may seem strange, but the Basilica of St. John
Lateran is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, the leader of the
universal Church. For this reason, we are celebrating today not only the
Lateran Basilica but also all the churches of the world.
The term "church" has different aspects that we should
explore. For most of us, however, church means the building where God is
worshipped. Thus, it has a special significance. It is a place sanctified not
only by the Eucharist and the relics of the saints but also by the prayers of
the faithful. Their voices have resonated in many churches for centuries,
making the place holy. This is certainly the case with the Lateran Basilica.
Furthermore, the church is a privileged place of encounter between God and
human beings. When we enter a church, we make the sign of the cross with holy
water to cleanse ourselves of contamination of the world as we meet the
Lord.
We also speak of the church as the community that gathers to
pray. The church is seen as a community of disciples of Christ in today's
second reading. Saint Paul calls the Christian community in Corinth "the
temple of God." He means that the men and women who comprise that
community are learning how to act as the Body of Christ in the world. Pope Leo
had this idea in mind when he addressed the Catholics gathered in his honor in
Chicago in June. The pope exhorted them to “build a community” of light and
hope.
A community of light and hope will serve others so that the
world may know Christ. In the first reading from the prophet Ezekiel, water
flows from the Temple to irrigate the fruit trees. The fruit of these trees
will feed the people, and their leaves will produce medicine to heal the sick.
Likewise, the Church serves the world through countless charities and
hospitals, providing for people’s physical needs.
Above all, the community of Christ, the Church, is a
sacrament. That is, the Church is a sign established by Christ to transmit
God’s grace. How can this be? From its earliest days, the Church has identified
itself with the Body of Christ. Jesus himself, in today’s Gospel reading from
John, identifies his Body with the Temple where sacrifices are offered. Indeed,
His Body became the perfect sacrifice on the cross, bestowing the grace that
forgives sins and justifies sinners. This same sacrifice is celebrated wherever
the community of Christ gathers. Proceeding from the Mass to the world, the
community radiates the holiness of Jesus Christ to all.
The Church as servant of the world, community of disciples,
and sacrament does not encompass all its aspects. Many know the Church by its
hierarchy, its rules, and its organizations. That is, they know the Church as
an institution. Because it has been an effective institution, it has been able
to endure for almost two thousand years. Another dimension of the Church is its
role as herald, announcing Jesus Christ as Savior of the world. We would not be
faithful to Christ if we did not proclaim this Good News. Finally, the Church
is a mystery imbued with the presence of God. Human participation has created faults
in the Church’s performance, but it has been able to overcome the challenges of
history because of this permanent presence of God. And God will be present to
us as long as we remain faithful to Christ.
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