Today we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. This Basilica is the cathedral church of the pope. There is a close connection between this church building and the Franciscans.

In 1209, Saint Francis of Assisi and his brothers traveled to the Lateran to seek Pope Innocent III’s approval for their new way of life. Prior to the arrival of the poor friars, the pope had a dream and saw the Lateran crumbling. The building was held up with the strength of a small, poor friar. A few days later, Francis appeared with his brothers and the pope said, “This is indeed that holy and religious man through whom the church of God will be sustained and supported.” The picture of Francis holding up the Lateran Basilica is from Giotto’s fresco shown above.

What relevance can we make of such a feast day in the life of a believer? Here are two ideas: The Lateran Basilica reveals an invisible truth and we are the image of God’s temple.

The invisible Church is manifested through the sacraments. Beautiful churches as the pope’s cathedral reflect beauty and goodness because they house the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The burning sanctuary lamp reminds us that Jesus is present in the tabernacle. The cathedral church of the Bishop of Rome is a reminder of the visible authority by Christ to teach, govern, and sanctify. The Lateran, though thousands of miles from us, is a visible sign of our union with the whole Church.

Celebrating the Lateran is also a reminder that we are God’s temple. We hear in the scriptures today:

Brothers and sisters:
You are God’s building.
According to the grace of God given to me,
like a wise master builder I laid a foundation,
and another is building upon it.
But each one must be careful how he builds upon it,
for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there,
namely, Jesus Christ.

Do you not know that you are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
If anyone destroys God’s temple,
God will destroy that person;
for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.

God is not only present in all the tabernacles of the world. God is present in us! Through the gift of baptism, God has made his dwelling in us and our firm foundation is Jesus Christ.

We belong to a huge faith family and the pope is the visible reminder that Jesus Christ is our head. Today’s feast reminds us that Jesus lives in our hearts and we are his temple. Take care of this one temple and look to great saints like Saint Francis to hold it up for the world to see.