11/11/2024

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

In the city of Rome, there are four major basilicas: Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, and the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. The fourth is the Archbasilica Cathedral of the Most Holy Saviour and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist in the Lateran, also called Saint John Lateran, or the Lateran Basilica for short.

Of the four major basilicas, the oldest and most important is Saint John Lateran, the dedication of which is remembered today. The Popes lived in the Lateran Palace,  from the 4th century until 1309 – when a French Pope moved to Avignon.

Though the pope now lives next to Saint Peter’s Basilica, Saint John Lateran is the official cathedral of Rome. That means Saint John Lateran is not only the mother church of the Archdiocese of Rome but also the mother church of the entire world.

 In today’s gospel we read, “His disciples remembered that he had said this.”

What words of Jesus are there in front of your mind?

The words that shape my relationships are in Matthew 25,40 “What you do to the least of mine, you do unto me.”

They help my patience and generosity as I am the principal carer of a 91 year old with sever dementia. When quite soon – as  I am 85 years old – I meet Jesus, he will know what I will have done for him as I cared for my patient.

How about you?

Every person is a bit like the consecrated host you receive at communion. Jesus is there within. And as I do not want to bore Jesus in you, I keep my homilies short.