Deacon Tony reflects: Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

On April 16^th, 2019, one of the most famous Cathedrals in the world burned. There was a global sharp intake of breath as we all watched with horror as the roof collapsed. In the days that followed, surveyors, politicians and high-ranking clergy gathered to survey the damage, as the once great building was left in a pile of rubble and ashes. There were promises made that the building would be restored, it was after all a symbol of national pride, as the Chief architect Phillippe Villeneuve said, “Notre-Dame is not just a cathedral, it is a living testimony of the history of France, a symbol of Parisian resilience, and a masterpiece of Gothic art. Every stone, every stained glass, every sculpture bears witness to a bygone era that cannot be ignored.”[1] Just over five years later, thanks to the success of the financial appeal and an army of artisan workers, the Cathedral reopened and now stands proudly again as a monument to French history and to God.

Today, the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, we celebrate a building which has a greater significance to the people of Rome and indeed Christians everywhere; not only an historic building but the deeper mystery it signifies: God’s living temple, the Church. The Lateran stands as the mother and head of all churches, a visible sign of the Church’s unity in Christ. Yet the true temple is not built of stone — it is formed by the hearts of believers in whom Christ dwells through the Holy Spirit.[2]

In the first reading we hear the prophet Ezekiel, describing the Temple, if we were to read the full text we would hear how he paced the whole area and found himself going through deeper and deeper water, until it reached a depth and flow rate which he could not cross. The flowing water symbolises the outpouring of God’s grace available to all believers. It is through this grace that we are energised spiritually, enabling us to love even when it hurts. This flowing water reached down to the Dead Sea, restoring life to a place where there was none. Again, the symbolism involved tells us that with God’s grace we can be restored, and it is never too late for anyone.

In the second reading we hear St Paul, telling us that we are the Church, through the grace God has given us. Our solemn duty is to build upon the foundations laid by Jesus. We are not to be passive members of God’s Church, we are called to be active, loving God and our neighbours. By sharing God’s love, we build up the Church. He also calls upon us to protect God’s temple, which is us as individuals and as our Community. We should never do anything which will harm our Community, we need to love ourselves and our neighbour.

The Gospel reading from St John tells the story of when Jesus drove the money lenders and traders from the Temple. A little bit of background on this. Passover was the most important of the Jewish feasts. According to the Law of Moses, every male Israelite over the age of twelve had to “appear before the Lord God” (Exodus 34:23; Deuteronomy 16:16), which resulted in the custom of making an annual pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Roman coins, the currency of the day, were stamped with the head of Caesar (who considered himself a deity) and sometimes with the images of other pagan gods. As such, they were unfit for paying the temple tax, and so money-changing became a practical necessity.

Likewise, pilgrims, not being able to bring animals from home, needed access to animals for sacrifice. This led to a second necessary service: the selling of animals in the temple precincts.

This trading activity had moved from the outer courts into the temple precincts, crowding the sacred space and turning worship into commerce.

As a faithful Jew, Jesus would have witnessed this spectacle many times throughout his life. Why did he wait until now to take action? This is the first Passover after Jesus’ baptism. Having just entered his public ministry, Jesus now reveals divine authority and zeal for authentic worship.[3]

Jesus, as He announces himself is cleansing the Temple of corrupt practices. The authorities would have ‘licensed’ the traders permitted inside the temple precincts; this would have provided an income for some of them. Jesus, at the start of His Ministry is declaring that God’s ways don’t always align with man’s ways.

When He is asked for a sign to support his actions, He declares that He will destroy this temple and rebuild it in three days. The authorities saw this as impossible as it had taken 46 years to construct the temple building. Jesus was not talking about the building, but about himself. Now, as followers of Christ, and remembering what St Paul said in the second reading, we too are temples, we are called to be like Christ.

November is a month where we remember our Dead, we are obliged to pray for them in the hope that they will be granted a merciful judgement and delivered from their sin [CCC1032]. In turn, when we die, we will need the prayers of those we have left behind to grant us the same blessings. The local clergy will be blessing the graves at Worting Road Cemetery on Sunday afternoon.

Further Reading

The Lateran Basilica was built by the Emperor Constantine on the Lateran Hill in Rome in about 324. The feast of its dedication has been celebrated in Rome on this date since the twelfth century. In honour of the basilica, “the mother and head of all the churches of the City and the World”, the feast has been extended to the whole Roman Rite as a sign of unity and love towards the See of Peter, which, as St Ignatius of Antioch said in the second century, “presides over the whole assembly of charity”.[4]

Nov 9, 2025: Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome (ABC) – Sunday Readings

Please remember in your prayers

All those who are sick, either at home or in hospital, especially those who have very few or no visitors.
Those who have died and those who grieve for them.
All those attending the RCIA programmes
Those attending the Youth Alpha programme which is a prerequisite for the Confirmation programme in our Pastoral Area.
The success of the Pastoral Area Mission Plan.
For the success of the Christians Against Poverty [CAP] money-coaching sessions, here at St Bede’s.
Success of the Pastoral Area Course “Mary – A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother.”
The souls in Purgatory, especially those with no one to pray for them.

Deacon Tony

8^th November 2025.

[1] Why rebuild Notre-Dame identically: revelations from the chief architect

[2] Nov 9, 2025: Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome (ABC) – Sunday Readings

[3] Nov 9, 2025: Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome (ABC) – Sunday Readings