The archbasilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome was one of the first churches built after the Edict of Milan in the year 313. The Edict of Milan is the declaration by Emperor Constantine that legalized Christianity. The archbasilica was dedicated on November 9th, 324.
It became the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome and the adjoining palace was the residence of the popes for over 1,000 years.
We often think of the importance of Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Obviously, it too is a very important church, especially since the popes have resided at the Vatican for the last several centuries.
Still, Saint John Lateran continues to be the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, which means Saint John Lateran is technically the ecclesial seat of the Bishop of Rome, namely the pope. As such, Saint John Lateran is the mother church of the entire Catholic Church.
In fact, in Saint John Lateran, you can find a Latin inscription: “Omnium ecclesiarum urbis et orbis mater et caput.” This translates to "The mother and head of all the churches of the city and the world.”
Pope Benedict XVI said, “By honoring the basilica, one intends to express love and veneration for the Roman Church, which, as Saint Ignatius of Antioch affirms, ‘presides over the charity’ of the entire Catholic communion.”
Jesus, as we see in the Gospel reading, certainly had zeal for His fathers house, which (as Saint Paul exclaimed in his first letter to Timothy) is the Church. As Paul also exclaimed in his letter to the Ephesians, Jesus laid down His life for the Church.
Today is an invitation to reflect on our love for the Catholic Church. Where is the Bride of Christ in my list of priorities? Do I love going to Mass, or is it just something that I do? Do I prioritize the Church over other aspects of my life?
Our readings today also remind us of the flow of sacramental grace from the Church that is meant to nourish us, strengthen us, sustain us, and ultimately sanctify us. In the prophecy of Ezekeil, he sees water flowing from the temple, which allowed living creatures to live. Fruit produced along the river was food and medicine.
Jesus then refers to Himself as the new temple in the Gospel reading. Of course, Jesus, His flesh, the Eucharist is the temple of the New Covenant. The Eucharist which is our food for eternal life as Jesus said in the Gospel of John and as Saint Ignatius of Antioch declared to be our “medicine for immortality”.
Sometimes we are tempted to think of our church building as just that, buildings. The building itself is not important. And, there is some truth to that.
But, it is not that simple. Our church buildings are meant to be sanctuaries from the world. They are meant to be places of refuge that we can escape from the toils of the world and the flesh to have a true encounter with the Holy One. A spiritual encounter, yes of course, but also more practically an encounter with Him in the Eucharist.
In each church building is the tabernacle, where the very Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ is held. He is truly here, 24 hours a day, yearning to be with you. To console you. To heal you. To sanctify you.
You can have a spiritual moment in the woods or on a beach. But, it is here, in the sanctuary, in the actual presence of Jesus Christ, that you can have a truly holy moment.
Our parish churches also represent a victory in the spiritual war. Each time a parish opens, it is like a new military outpost of the Kingdom of God opened in the enemy territory of the kingdom of this world. Conversely, each time a parish closes, it is the enemy reclaiming that territory.
Pope Francis, as well as other popes, looked at our parish churches as field hospitals. Field hospitals that care for others, primarily through the administration of the sacraments, but also through the practice of the works of mercy and bringing others into the flow of grace in the sacramental life.
Our ancestors often spent considerable money, as well as blood, sweat, and tears establishing our parishes. This was not just so we would have a nice building to gather in. But, rather, for what the building represents and more importantly, what the building contains. Representing the household of the living God and containing Jesus Christ Himself.
For the first century Jew, the Temple was the center of the universe… very presence of God in their midst. The new covenant fulfillment can never be less than the old covenant prototype. The Eucharist (and by extension the Catholic Church) must be the center of our universe.
To the first century Christian, the Eucharist was the center of the universe. Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who was a disciple of the Apostle John said, “I have no taste for corruptible food nor for the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David; and for drink I desire his blood, which is love incorruptible”.
Saint Ignatius also said, “They who deny the gift of God (the Eucharist) are perishing in their disputes”. That should sound familiar when we look at the world around us.
Everyday, the news is filled with conflict, violence, and death. Even our government cannot function due to conflict. We cannot ignore the correlation of this reality to the rejection of the Eucharist by our society and the fact that the Eucharist is not the center of our universe….even for many Catholics.
Our recourse in the strife of this chaotic world is solely in the Eucharist. We must turn completely to Jesus Christ, who is truly present in the Eucharist, for strength and sanity during these troubling times. The Eucharist is our lifeline and refuge from the chaos of the world. Ultimately our source and summit of faith, and our only means for eternal life.
Let us rejoice as the waters of the river (the flow of sacramental grace) gladden the city of God (His Holy Catholic Church), the holy dwelling of the Most High in the Eucharist.
Thanks be to God!
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