MY daily reflection and prayer: Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. John 2: 13-22
The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?”
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
Thanks be to God, we celebrate today the dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica, in Rome, Italy. Why do we celebrate it?
First, because it is the Cathedral Church of Rome, Italy. Therefore, it is also the ecclesiastical seat of the Roman Pontiff (Pope).
Second, St. John Lateran Basilica is the “mother and head of all the Churches.” We can read this identity on inscription on the façade of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome in Latin language, “Sacrosancta Lateranensis ecclesia omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput.”
It means, “Most Holy Lateran Church, of all the churches in the city and the world, the mother and head.”
Thanks to God on Wednesday, 19 October 2016 ago, I visited this wonderful church and celebrated the Eucharist in one of the chapel inside. There I experienced a deep confidence that the Jesus Christ is really with us as we journey through history. There also, we can adore Jesus Christ who purifies our life in the Chapel of Adoration, which is always opened for us.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, we need to submit to your purification. We believe that you are here with us, and we hope in your boundless mercy and love. Thank you for watching over us and keeping us in your friendship. Thank you for the priceless gift of my Catholic faith and the precious gift of our Mother, the Church. Protect your Church from all her enemies now and forever. Amen.
