Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Monday – 9th November 2020 — Gospel: Jn 2,13-22
Prophetic Identity
The Basilica of John the Lateran was built by Pope Melchiade in A.D. 311 in the land donated by the Roman Emperor Constantine on the Lateran Hill. It is the main church of the Pope as Bishop of Rome, until the construction of St.Peter’s Basilica in the sixteenth century. Its dedication marked a special time in the history of Christianity. As this was one of the first public place where the church, as assembly of believers, could meet and give open and visible praise to God, the believers began to remember this day to celebrate. Even now, this basilica is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, in which Pope acts as bishop of Rome.
At a deeper level, the cleansing of the temple is a manifestation of the identity of Jesus. Jesus shows how the temple system is corrupt and in dire need of reform and renewal. Then, he acts as the messianic prophet. He authoritatively enters the area of the temple and performs a prophetic action. He symbolically acts out God’s impending judgment on the Jerusalem temple and signifies its coming destruction. The Jewish leaders want a sign from Jesus to justify his treatment of the money changers. But the sign Jesus reveals is that he himself will become the true temple, the dwelling place of the glory of God. He tries to explain that to them, but only proves it later on by rising from the dead. However, his aggressive action challenges the religious institution and its leadership that has grown too rigid and corrupt to accept the new manifestation of God’s presence in Christ.
