Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
John 2:13-22
We are the new temples of God’s glory

Today’s solemnity of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, known as the “Mother of all Churches,” invites us to reflect on our unity as one Church, built upon the foundation of the Apostles. The Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Pope’s cathedral, symbolises this unity. For centuries, it has been a place of gathering, worship, and hope—a powerful reminder that the Church is not confined to any single building but is a living, growing body made up of all of us, the faithful.

In the Gospel today, Jesus cleanses the Jerusalem temple, declaring it “my Father’s house.” By doing this, he reveals his identity as the new temple where God truly dwells. Just as the Lateran Basilica has stood as a testament to God’s presence among His people, so too, Jesus becomes the place where we encounter God’s glory and love. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ transforms the notion of the temple: it is now within Him and, consequently, within us as we live in Him.

Today, as we remember this holy space of the Lateran Basilica, let us also see our own hearts as temples of God. Our actions, our love, and our compassion must be places where others can encounter the glory of God. We are called to build this unity by seeing Christ in one another, especially the poor and the needy. By honouring the dignity in each life, we bring glory to God, for as St. Irenaeus reminds us, “The glory of God is the life of humanity.”

Like the Lateran Basilica, we may stand as living temples—welcoming, united, and radiating God’s love to the world.

© Claretian Publications, Hong Kong, China
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2024