The Dedication Of The Lateran Basilica Insert

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

“You are the temple of God…” Although the basilica of St. John Lateran is the cathedral of the Holy Father in Rome, today’s liturgy focuses not on the Petrine ministry but on the place of God’s abode, the temple. The first reading is about Solomon’s temple, and the Gospel tells of Jesus coming to stay in the home of Zacchaeus. Writing to the Corinthians, Paul asks them: Are you not aware that you are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwells in you? Notice his use of the singular: the temple of God is holy, and you are that temple. He has in mind the community of God’s people as the temple of God: from living stones, your chosen people, you built an eternal temple to your glory. Is this temple (the People of God) only for the presence of God? What else is there in this temple? Are there false gods as well, such as the gods of wealth and power? Do the people in this temple worship the one true God, or do they bow down before other gods, such as economic and political systems? Do the people in this temple work hard at creating its beauty from the holiness of our lives? Gerald Darring

“The Church has more often been called the edifice of God.... This edifice is adorned by various names: the house of God in which dwells His family; the household of God in the Spirit; the dwelling place of God among men; and, especially, the holy temple. This temple, symbolized by places of worship built out of stone, is praised by the holy Fathers and, not without reason, is compared in the liturgy to the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. As living stones we here on earth are being built up along with this City.” Vatican II, Constitution on the Church (1964) 6

November 9, 2008

Some καιρός / kairos thoughts… καιρός / kairos—Greek—time—viewed as an occasion rather than an ex-

I see you in the tunnels of the city dedicated to begging and non-injury you do not crush the bruised reed nor quench smoldering flax you are the trust of the sparrow and field lily neither earth nor heart lies scarred with your passing anda Poem from liturgy.slu.edu

There are all sorts and kinds of birthday parties. Church buildings, as well as the people who use them, have anniversaries for their beginnings. Today it is for Our Savior’s Basilica and Saint John’s Baptistery, the pope’s cathedral as bishop of the people of Rome. We belong to the “Roman family” in the church, so it is our feast too. Celebrate the Lord’s coming! God’s people are truly the place of Christ’s presence in this world. We would all do well to celebrate the birthday of our own church or parish or community of faith and acknowledge Christ’s presence with thanks. Text, Philip J. Sandstrom, S.T.D. © 2000, OCP. All rights reserved.

Prayer List Pray the rosary for world peace, Avis Cox, Fr. Clarence Biggers, Gladys and Ben Kramkowski, Rita Moenk, Doug Bearden, Sarah Snider, Julian Campbell, Annie & family, Connie, her mother & family, Blake, Erik, Jonathan & family, Sharon & family, Will, FMS, Cap. Corp., Patrick & Brittany, Broughman family, Fannie Crowder & family, VAL, Father Ingram’s father & family, Karen’s mother, Cheryl Mobley & family, William Hudson, Robert, Walter, Danielle, Christopher, Barbara, Katherine, Nicholas, Kaylin, Kasie, Mary Beth & family, Mary Ann Mahoney & family, Donna & family, Ann Chancellor & family, Sheila & family, cancer patients & families, military & families, Brandon, Plantation Villa residents, Don, Mrs. Carpenter, Mr. & Mrs. Rooks, Katherine & family, Mr. Dunn, Mr. & Mrs. Barlow, Jane & family, Scott & family, Diane & Peter, Michele & Gary, Lucy & family, Bobbie, Joan & family, Karl’s mother & family, June & family, Tina & family, Belinda & family, OLM family, Kat, Delgratia’s family & friends, Mr. Gomez & family, Sara’s mother, Dr. Lynch & family, Rob/Allie & family, Chuck & family, Frank & family, Liesa & family, mother of Dr. Petros, Dr. Issa & family, Odessa, Anita’s mother & family, Ruby, Ruby’s mother & family, Davies family, Katie & family, family of Angie, Ann & family, Gretchen & family, Eileen, Scott & family, Robert, Flavia & family, Tony’s family, Roy & Martha Wright, Roy, Alice Swygert, Alan, Nard, Tony, Glenda, Nelson, J. Bob, Munn, Vogt, Wolfe families, Russell & family, Ola, Gene Wilson & family, Jane Brock & family, Janet Kramer & family, Elayne & family, Winnie, Phil & family, Tony, Stan, Emily & family, Ruthie & Ed, Mr. Bergin & family, Russell & family, Mrs. Sanseverino & family, CC Center, veterans & families Jessie Emmett, Mark, Michael’s mother, Carrie’s husband & family, VAMC, Josephine Mary, Mary Anna, S. Paul, Tony, J. W. Wilson & family, Jason & Kim, Josie, Kelly, Mickey’s family, Jon & Janet Cook & family, Karen’s cousin, Mike Aguado & family, Carl & family, Dr. Lopez & family, Dr. Vanapalli & family, Dr. Nair & family, Garrett & family, family of Duffie, Aaron Christian, Marina & family, Mitchell’s father & family, Estella’s mother & family, Kerry’s mother & family, Gail & family, Beth & family, Bernard, Anna & family, Sara Lucas & family, Mary Gilliam & family, Bobbie, Carol, Cheryl Mobley & family, Bettie & family, Jane & family, Scott, Chris & family, Billy & family, Karen, Campbell family, Beth & family, John & family, Tony & family, Michael & family, Carolyn Williamson, Berger family, Mendez family, Ikai family, Joshua Moser, Stephanie Christian, Chris B., Justine , Anna & Henry, Edna, Mary Ondovchik, Ann Rudy, Peggy Cable, Claude Rickman, Dames gang, Mary & Sybil O., Amy & family, Phil Lee, Jack Sexton, Denise & Sam Kell, Chad Nostrant, Randy Taylor, Brian Strickland, Florence & Vincent Santaniello, Emilia, JT, Robert S. & family, Louis Talbot, Wright family, Ellie, Christopher, & Katie Doane, Jeremy & Erica Granier, Michael Coates, John Crowe, Mr. Beatty, Carlo Dellaquila, Katherine Catti, Maria Beck, Joanna & Michael Spataro, Stephanie, Mark & Baby Fletcher, Angela & Justino Prado, Tom Wood, Heidi Fitzgerald, Debbie McCloud, Joyce Jones, Patricia Finch, Ed Schaffer, USA, Nancy Truesdale, Rita & Jim Maharry, Joey Milani, Paul, Brett & Janet Williams, Mr. Wringer, Joe M., rain, Clara Schmidt, Mar Ann Toeffer, Morme Forst, Clary Alicea, Barbara Borchert, Martha Mercure, Wicktus Dekock, Sue Witt, Chris Cudd, Dawn, Jacqueline, Brian, Samantha, Carline, Sharlene, Caron, Anais, & Ken Pierre, Rick Long, Sheila & John Bedell, Ira Scott, Darius Cooper, Jennifer Chisholm, John Vitelli, Mike Pruitt, Cotton Elphingstone, Cathy Garger, Harriett H.