The Church of Christ, source of communion and life!

“Sacrosancta Lateranensis ecclesia omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput”, that is to say “the holiest Church of the Lateran, of all the churches of the city and of the world, the mother and the head”. Here is one of the inscriptions that can be read on the wall of the facade of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran. This basilica is also the cathedral church of the Bishop of Rome and Primate of Italy, unlike St Peter's which is a basilica but not a cathedral. The Lateran Basilica was dedicated to the Most Holy Savior and to Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist. It was first consecrated in 324 AD. The Lateran Church is our symbol of unity.

The symbolism of the river evoked by Ezekiel in the first reading, represents The Church, the temple of God, sacrament of Christ, torrent and river of life which nourishes and brings together all the children of God.

The Church is the river that replenishes the lives of children who, through baptism, themselves become the temple of God through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. St Paul invites us to preserve this temple and to strengthen it in faith. The Temple is not just a stone building, but each of us has God within us.

Jesus in the gospel, performs a symbolic and prophetic act. Our temples, whether our churches or our bodies, must be purified of all forms of corruption, sin, dirt, impurity. We must chase out of our lives everything that opposes us to God and everything that dishonors the temple of Christ! The Church that we celebrate today is the symbol of unity and gathering of all those who believe in Christ.

In celebrating the dedication of the Basilica of Lateran, we also celebrate the dedication of our own local churches as they are all united.

Lord, I dedicate my life and my parish to you!

Fr. Georges sac