The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

This weekend, the Diocese of Camden began a new initiative to increase Vocation Awareness entitled "Called by Name." It was suggested that those delivering the homilies during Mass give their personal vocation story as an introduction to the "Called by Name" initiative. I, personally, gave a brief introduction to the Feast Day, followed by my vocation story. The homily below is strictly for the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica.

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         The Lateran Basilica is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome (also known as the Pope). It was built during the reign of Constantine and consecrated by Pope Saint Sylvester I in 324. A plaque placed here by Pope Clement XII in the mid-18^th century reads that this church is “the mother and head of all churches of Rome and in the world.” Our universal celebration today in commemoration of this dedication is a sign of love and union with the See of Saint Peter. Pope Innocent X commissioned the present structure in 1646. Beneath the high altar rests the remains of a small wooden table on which, according to tradition, Saint Peter celebrated Mass. It was first dedicated to the Savior and later to Saint John the Baptist.

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Entrance: “Behold God’s dwelling with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be His people, and God Himself with them will be their God.”

First Reading: Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 – “I saw water flowing from the temple, and all who were touched by it were saved (see Roman Missal).”

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 – “The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.”

Second Reading: 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17 – “You are God’s temple.”

Alleluia: 2 Chr 7:16 – Alleluia, alleluia. “‘I have chosen and consecrated this house,’ says the Lord, ‘that My name may be there forever.’” Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Jn 2:13-22 – “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Communion Antiphon: 1 Pt 2:5 – “Be built up like living stones, into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood.”

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         Many, if not all, of us Catholics have been taught that our bodies are “temples of the Holy Spirit” … holy and sacred vessels wherein God resides. In today’s Gospel, Jesus, between the lines, refers to Himself as a temple … one that, when destroyed, will be raised up in three days. He is referring, of course, to His own Death and Resurrection, although not even His followers understood this at the time.

         And what of the temple that is Jesus, and these temples … you and me? We are to consider our bodies, our temples, as “our Father’s house,” says Jesus. Yes, oftentimes we, unlike Jesus, will let our house get into a state of terrible disarray. We forget that our bodies, just like our souls, are sacred.

         And thus, we give our bodies over to less than worthy pursuits … just as in today’s passage we see the Jewish community giving the temple over to desecration as a “den of thieves,” to money changers, to the peddling of sheep, oxen, and doves. Jesus is so angered by this, says John, that He fashions a chord, a whip, and begins “cleaning house,” as we might say today.

         Our charge is to try to keep our Father’s house, our temple, from getting completely dilapidated and desecrated, so that it can still … wonder of wonders … be cleaned up and restored.

         We do this, as any good housekeeper knows, by maintaining some sense of order, by staying a step ahead of things, keeping small messes from becoming big messes, doing small repairs before big ones are needed, taking out the trash on a regular basis, and by opening the windows to let in the refreshing breezes our God provides for us. So, having said all that, ask yourselves this … when is the last time you celebrated the Sacrament of Penance?