Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Why does the whole Church celebrate one Roman church? On this feast, Dr. Brant Pitre opens the temple readings that reveal Christ and his people as the true dwelling of God.
The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome (November 9) honors the cathedral of the Pope as Bishop of Rome — the archbasilica of St. John Lateran, called the “mother and head of all the churches.” In The Mass Readings Explained, Dr. Brant Pitre walks through the readings and shows how they move from stone temple to living temple.
Ezekiel 47 sees life-giving water flowing from the right side of the temple; Psalm 46 sings of the river that gladdens the city of God; 1 Corinthians 3 tells Christians “you are God's temple” because the Spirit dwells in them; and in John 2 Jesus cleanses the temple and speaks of “the temple of his body,” to be raised up in three days. Dr. Pitre traces the temple typology — the river, the foundation that is Christ, and the water and blood flowing from his side.
The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
GOSPEL, FIRST READING & PSALM TRANSCRIPT (Subscribe or Login for Full Transcript):
November 9th in the Roman calendar is the Solemnity of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. Now, this is one of those solemnities in the Roman calendar where it's such a significant day that even when it falls on a Sunday, it's going to replace that Sunday Mass readings and the Sunday Mass celebration with the particular readings for the solemnity commemorating this particular basilica.
GOSPEL, FIRST READING & PSALM TRANSCRIPT (Subscribe or Login for Full Transcript):
November 9th in the Roman calendar is the Solemnity of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. Now, this is one of those solemnities in the Roman calendar where it's such a significant day that even when it falls on a Sunday, it's going to replace that Sunday Mass readings and the Sunday Mass celebration with the particular readings for the solemnity commemorating this particular basilica.
The Readings for the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, Year B
First Reading: Ezekiel 47:1–2, 8–9, 12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 46:2–9
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:9c–11, 16–17
Gospel: John 2:13–22
Key passages & sources examined: the life-giving river from the temple (Ezek 47); the river that gladdens the city of God (Ps 46); Christ the one foundation and “you are God's temple” (1 Cor 3); the cleansing of the temple and “the temple of his body” (John 2); living water from Christ's side (John 7; 19); CCC 756.
What are the Mass readings for the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica? Ezekiel 47:1–2, 8–9, 12; Psalm 46; 1 Corinthians 3:9c–11, 16–17; and the Gospel, John 2:13–22.
What is the Lateran Basilica? The archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Pope as Bishop of Rome, called the “mother and head of all the churches.”
Why does the whole Church celebrate this dedication? It honors Christ present in his Church and reminds every Christian that we ourselves are God's temple, indwelt by the Spirit.
What does “the temple of his body” mean? In John 2 Jesus identifies the true temple with his own body, to be destroyed and raised up in three days.
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I'm amazed by these lectures, I learn so many things and I hear so many things Ive never heard before. Love how dr Brant Pitre answers complicated questions at the end of the lectures.
This was another great and informative lecture on Catholic teachings concerning a Catholic belief not shared by our Christian brothers and sisters. And, like his other lectures on the Jewish Roots of our Faith, Dr. Pitre gives great insight using biblical texts, history and language lessons. But, this left me burning questions Dr. Pitre did not ask or answer: When, after death, is purgatory? Do our resurrected bodies partake in purgatory? If those who experience purgatory are saved then how does the doctrine of the beatific vision play into all this? Maybe these questions are answered in another lecture?
I'm amazed by these lectures, I learn so many things and I hear so many things Ive never heard before. Love how dr Brant Pitre answers complicated questions at the end of the lectures.
This was another great and informative lecture on Catholic teachings concerning a Catholic belief not shared by our Christian brothers and sisters. And, like his other lectures on the Jewish Roots of our Faith, Dr. Pitre gives great insight using biblical texts, history and language lessons. But, this left me burning questions Dr. Pitre did not ask or answer: When, after death, is purgatory? Do our resurrected bodies partake in purgatory? If those who experience purgatory are saved then how does the doctrine of the beatific vision play into all this? Maybe these questions are answered in another lecture?
