Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Reflection
A Feast Day of the Church’s Mystery and Beautiful Images
This feast overflows, like the waters of Ezequiel, with symbolism. It also touches our bodies, our humanness. St. John Lateran was originally named Church of Our Saviour.
We can feel our humanness blended with the gift of grace, the mystery of the Church.
The Word of God is always alive and new. We, the Church, the Holy gathered People of God, the dying and rising, cross carrying and Easter Candle holding high people, we are always alive and new as we receive this living Word of God.
We are like Joshua leading Israel out of Egypt to end the long Exodus. When they reach the Jordan, he directs those carrying the Ark of the Covenant to stand in the river; it stops flowing, and all of Israel passes the Ark to step onto the promised land. This is an image of the Church, a point of stability to us whose lives flow like an ever-changing river. Israel, chosen by God not because of greatness but rather in her poverty, is called to reveal to all God’s love.
So, as we are loved by God, we are to be a sign to all who pass by the Church, the sign of God’s life-giving Spirit and love among all.
The words of St. John Chrysostom offer a beautiful description of the Church. He invites us to imagine entering a building whose doors hang off their hinges, windows are dirty and cracked, and a place full of dangerous people who take advantage of others. Here, one is surrounded by chaos and distraction. At the table, those who sit do not share; rather, they grab. Only the aggressive receive enough food. But think of this building full of the Baptized, a Church. It is a place that overflows with welcome and joy. Its doors are open wide to receive all. It is a place of beauty and peace where hospitality and welcome are received. And in this place, there is a table bowed down beneath the weight of abundant blessing for all to share and be satisfied. The first image is one that would invite the Jesus of today’s Gospel; the second invites us to see Jesus inviting us to be his guest and share with him at his table.
It is at the waters of refreshment in Baptism we meet Jesus the Good Shepherd. As Jesus replaces the temple, Church fathers have seen the waters that Ezekiel speaks of as flowing from Jesus’ open side, the font of sacramental life that bathes us and from which we drink. Written on the venerable font in the Church of St. John Lateran are the words,
“…. Here is born a people of noble race, destined for heaven…here the Church conceives her offspring by the Breath of God, and bears them virginally in this water”.
At Baptism, the cross was first traced on our foreheads, then the Trinity was invoked as life-giving waters flowed over us. So, we always begin our prayer of the Eucharist, making the sign of the cross and naming the Trinity over our bodies. What began at Baptism now opens for us the door, who is Christ Himself, leading us to the Father, and the Father’s gift to us of the Son who nourishes us in the Eucharist.
Jesus is the Temple, so are we filled with the Holy Spirit. Our Savior, in company with the saints, joins us in cleaning the Church. Truly! But we know that even hard work can be joyful. So it is! Then may this be a Happy Feast Day to each of us.
