the lateran

The Basilica of St. John Lateran has a long history dating back to the time when Christianity was accepted in Rome as one of the major religions of the empire. The lot on which it stands was owned by the Laterani family, hence its name – the Lateran. It was donated by Constantine the great to Pope Meltiades and excavations today proved that it is standing on the barracks of the forces of Emperor Maxentius. It was built, vandalized, destroyed and rebuilt several times. It has to contend with Barbarian invasions, fires, earthquakes through the centuries. It is dedicated the Christ the Savior then later to John the Baptist and to John the Evangelist thus the name St. John Lateran.
Four ecumenical councils were held there, 28 popes are buried there and for a thousand years it was the seat of Church government until the pope moved to the Vatican. Pope Benedict as pope has his seat at St. Peter’s, but as bishop of Rome which the pope truly is first and foremost, his seat is the Lateran Basilica. Thus it is called the mother of all churches, the mother of all dioceses, the diocese of Rome, the eternal city.


Lateran therefore is our link to the past and Lateran is also our link to one another. It is what makes us apostolic because it links us to the past since through this basilica we know that our faith can trace its roots, its faith and traditions to the apostles and to Jesus Himself.
It is what makes us also catholic because by this basilica the mother of all churches we are linked to one another, we are united with every catholic under heaven and every catholic in heaven.
What is the message of this feast?
First, it teaches us to be apostolic. By apostolic I mean we are built upon the teachings of the apostles. Look around you, and you will find an apostle perched at every pillar of this cathedral. They are placed there not just for aesthetic reasons. They are placed there because of what they symbolize - that this church, the catholic church, our church is built upon, held upright by the pillars who are the apostles. Apart from them we crumble. Apart from the apostles this house, this church, you and I, will fall. And who are the holders of the office of the apostles in our time? The bishops, starting with our pope and including our own bishops. Detached from the apostles we fall. If we do not heed their teachings, if we detract from their instructions and guidance, we falter. Why because our church is apostolic.
Second, the feast teaches us to be catholic. By catholic I mean we put value in our sense of community, we put value in our effort to build the community. Separate yourself from the community and you become less of a catholic. Tell yourself, lain ako sang sa ila, and act as if you are better than the rest and you risk becoming uncatholic. As catholics we put value in our connectedness with one another. Let us therefore recover once more that catholic spirit – the desire to become a community, a real parish, the enthusiasm to build it.
Remember today we celebrate the feast that reminds us that we are apostolic and catholic.