The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Scripture:
Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17
John 2:13-22
Reflection:
What Does Sea World and a Group of Frenzied First Grades Have in Common?
We celebrate the Dedication of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome and mother church of all churches. Its history is significant as the residence of the popes from the fourth century until the Avignon Papacy. But like the temple in chapter 37 of Ezekiel, what is most precious and at its heart are the life giving waters overflowing the boundaries of its baptismal font, and finding their way into the fonts of all churches, making them holy, life giving oasis. The words on the font in St. John Lateran extend to all fonts, “there is no barrier between those who are reborn and made one by the one font, the one Spirit and the one Faith…”
The early Church, we could say, ‘baptized’ Psalm 23, The Lord is My Shepherd. They said simply, ‘here is what baptism is’. The Psalm tells us that we meet Jesus at baptism in waters of refreshment. The Holy Spirit covers us like abundantly poured, perfumed oil. We are then led on life’s journey through the valleys and pastures and hills, and one day, not alone, we go through the shadowed valley of death. At journeys end the Shepherd, who is Jesus, awaits us with arms open to embrace and welcome, then leads us to the banquet table in the Father’s house.
We could see todays feast as a ticket to Sea World and a chance to sit ringside and get slapped by a wave of water. Baptism is exciting, although some do want to sit farther back. The best response to the waters of baptism I have ever experienced were the first graders going wild during the sprinkling rite at Easter season, yelling, ‘me, me’ and trying to get wet, reaching out to feel the water being thrown at them.
This year our Sea World ticket gets an upgrade. The new edition of The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) has just been released. The name is changed, The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (‘OCIA’). A slight change in name but a opportunity for the Christian community to be reminded of the gift and importance of baptism, a mystery of grace setting us on our way as followers of Christ in our world.
Here is a processional of praying using our baptisms and entering its meaning, a fun prayer to do with children. Begin at the church’s font where in the waters of refreshment you met the Good Shepherd. Gifted with the Holy Spirit you were commissioned there to be another Christ, to love as Christ loves. If there is an ambry in the church with the oils of the catechumens and chrism include that in your procession. Walk through the church ending at the altar. The journey through the church can take many different paths, but chose one each time you pray, maybe touch sacred spots like where you were married, where you usually sit, the place of hearing the Word, a place of special meaning….or you might want to have a saint whose image is in the church walk with you…let the church be the world with its variety of people and landscapes… End at the altar. Remember the altar is also the symbol of Christ. At funerals we will be placed closest to the altar/to Christ who is there with arms spread to welcome us to the Banquet Table of heaven. Baptism tells us we have a seat reserved at the banquet table. Ultimately the journey of life giving baptism ends where our processional prayer ends, at the banquet table that nourishes that eternal life.
Fr. William Murphy, CP is a member of Immaculate Conception Community in Jamaica, New York.