Scripture Reflection - November 9, 2025

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

First Reading: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17

Gospel: John 2:13-22

This past Summer, I visited Rome as part of a program for people serving in mission roles at Catholic Universities. It is the Jubilee Year of Hope, as was declared by Pope Francis. Throughout the year, there have been special celebrations, and different groups have been recognized. During my time in Rome, we had the opportunity to visit the four major basilicas and walk through their holy doors. These included, St. Peter’s, St. Mary Major, St. Paul Outside the Wall, and St. John Lateran, which we celebrate in the liturgy today.

Although St. Peter’s may be the most well-known, as the square outside is where people often go to see the Pope, join him in prayer, and admire the remarkable artwork, St. John Lateran is the oldest of the four basilicas and the official church of the Pope as Bishop of Rome. The Basilica was officially dedicated in 324 by Pope Sylvester I and has been celebrated on November 9th since the 12th Century.

The readings today focus on temples. Places and spaces are important for a community of believers. Throughout my life, I have attended Mass in modest country churches, a “Church-nasium” (gym converted to a church for Mass on Sunday prior to the actual church being built), a priest’s living room, and several university chapels which ranged from northwest wood cabin style to a 1960s style religious chapel, to white-washed minimalist modern architectural spaces. I have been at parishes that were multicultural in décor and congregation, parishes that were homey where everyone knew each other, and cathedrals where visitors were there for the artwork as much, if not more than, the Mass.

St. John Lateran Basilica holds a special place as the “home” church of the Pope and the global Church. No less significant, however, are the churches where each of us gather in communion with the global Church each week. The universality of the Catholic Church is this connection between each of us and Christ, whom we receive in the Eucharist, no matter our location. In the Gospel, Jesus spoke of the rebuilding of his temple, the resurrected Body of Christ. In Christ, we are always home.

Questions:

How have you experienced being part of the Body of Christ at different points in your life?

If you could build a Church based on your understanding of the Body of Christ, what elements would you include?

Sr. Jenn Schaaf, OP