Ezekiel 47:1-2,8-9,12
Psalm 45(46):2-3,5-6,8-9
John 2:13-22
Today we celebrate the mother church of the city of Rome and the world: the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the first of Rome’s four major basilicas and the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, the Roman Pontiff. It is the cathedral of Rome and, in a special sense, of the whole world. Five ecumenical councils have taken place there, and each year the Pope celebrates the Holy Thursday Mass there. Originally built by Emperor Constantine in the fourth century, it has served as a model for many church buildings and stands as a sign of unity with the Holy Father—the center of Roman Catholicism. Our faith is rooted in history, because our salvation was won at a particular time in the history of the world.
In today’s Gospel, Christ enters the Temple just before Passover. We see His deep concern for God’s house and His response to those who failed to treat it with reverence. He makes a whip of cords to teach them a lesson. In this moment, Scripture is fulfilled: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” Does our heart burn with love for His Church and His people? How do we respond to the Church’s laws and documents?
One of the Scripture passages used in the celebration of a church’s dedication reminds us that “this is the house of God and the gate of heaven.” We may understand what it means to call a church God’s house, but how often do we consider the Church and the Sacraments as the gate of heaven? Do we look beyond the comfort of well-established, well-maintained church buildings and remember those communities seeking to gather as a Church despite significant limitations? Are we temples of the Holy Spirit? As 1 Corinthians 3:17 reminds us, “the temple of God is holy, and you are that temple.”
As we celebrate Mass today in the cathedral of Rome and the world, we remember this holy place and pray that we may experience the joy of drawing near to Our Lord and a sense of being at home with Him. “Let the water of the river give joy to God’s city.”
The Lord calls us to follow Him, spread the Gospel, and, through our good conduct, become living letters of the Good News. In the end, we are called to be with Him in heaven, where He reigns in glory. May we not become attached to our beautiful earthly homes or even to this church, but remember that we stand at the gate of heaven, called to share with others the message of our true home beyond. Amen.
Fr Joseph Osho
