Just like the Feast of All Saints that fell on the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time had readings proper to that particular observance, the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, which falls today, the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, has a unique set of readings, not part of the regular cycle for Ordinary Time.
What, then, is special about 9 November? On this day in the year 324 A.D., the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome was consecrated as the official cathedral of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. The first major basilica built in the Roman Empire was granted the status of ‘Mother and Head of All Churches in the City and of the World’ (omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput).
In 1724, Pope Benedict XIII ordered the worldwide observance of the date. He looked at the basilica as a symbol of unity and strength between the Catholics and the Holy See. The feast also connects to the biblical idea that the church building symbolises the people themselves, and each believer is a ‘house of God’ where the Holy Spirit dwells.
Today’s celebration is also a reminder of the history of Christianity, particularly the freedom gained through the Edict of Milan. This was an agreement issued by Roman Emperors Constantine I and Licinius in 313 CE, granting religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire. It marked a major turning point, as Christianity went from a persecuted faith to a legally recognised and protected religion.
The readings of the day focus on God’s temple. In the First Reading (Ezek 47: 1-2, 8-9, 12), the ‘east’ seems like the operative word, symbolising new beginnings, divinity, and hope. We look to the east for the morning sun’s rays that can well symbolise Jesus, the Light of the World. The water that ‘flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah’ could refer to Jesus, the Living Water. This text is also read on Tuesday of the fourth week of Lent.
Similarly, the Gospel (Jn 2: 13-22), which portrays the first Pasch in Jesus’ ministry, is also aptly used for the third Sunday of Lent (year B). The fact that He had not begun His public ministry did not prevent Him from showing zeal for His Father’s House. Here, not only did merchants sell their wares but also the chief priests sold some people’s offerings. With a whip of cords, Jesus drove out those who sat there selling oxen, sheep, and doves, spilled the coins of the money changers, and overturned their tables. His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’ (Ps 69)
Jesus did not go unchallenged by the Jews. They wished to know on what authority He was acting. That is when we hear Jesus’ memorable words, enigmatic when they were first heard: ‘Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.’ How could that be? The Jews retorted, ‘This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?’
How unperceptive of them! We could count ourselves in their number. They took Jesus literally, thinking that he was referring to the building, whereas Jesus was speaking about the temple of his Body. Thus, when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the words spoken by Him.
We too sometimes look at our church as a mere building, don’t we? Therefore, in the Second Reading (1 Cor 3: 9c-11, 16-17), St. Paul reminds us that you and I are God’s building—we are the living church. Our ancestors in the faith built it for us in Goa, just as the Apostle built it for the Gentiles, and what they have built we must not break asunder. How wise, therefore, it is to consecrate our homes to God; each of them is a domestic church.
On the other hand, while we think we are building upon it, ‘each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.’ This applies as much to the Popes and bishops of the world as it does to each of us.
Finally, we believe that the spirit is more important than the body. But more than that, we must never forget that the Spirit of God dwells in us, making us holy temples of God. Hence, if anyone, including ourselves, destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. The gates of Hell are open to receive such persons. Sad, but true; something we see when we reflect on the Last Things, as we did last Sunday.