Monday – Dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica Gospel – John 2:13-22 Temples of God The Western Wall, Jerusalem We celebrate today the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome. Dedicated in 324 AD, the Basilica is the cathedral of Rome, the official seat of the Bishop of Rome and the mother of all churches throughout the world. It is the first public building granted to Christians as a worship site by Constantine. It is quite unusual that we have a feast day honoring an object, as opposed to a person. I can only think of one other – Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. Today’s Gospel reflects on another religious object – the Temple in Jerusalem. It was the center of Jewish life at the time of Jesus; it was a place to gather and worship for all major feasts and celebrations. The very life of a Jew revolved around this magnificent house of prayer and sacrifice. From birth to coming of age to remembrance of P...
