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Today's Gospel + short theological explanation

November 9th: Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
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Gospel text (Jn 2:13-22): Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. (…).

Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome

EDITORIAL TEAM evangeli.net (based on texts by Benedict XVI) (Città del Vaticano, Vatican)

Today, we celebrate the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, called "mother and head of all churches in the city and the world". This Basilica was the first to be built after the edict of the Emperor Constantine (year AD 313) granting freedom of religion to Christianity. Constantine also donated the former property of the Laterani family to Pope Miltiades, and there he built the Basilica, the Baptistery and the residence of the Bishop of Rome, where Popes lived up to the Avignon period.

Pope Sylvester held the dedication of the Basilica towards the year 324 and the temple was consecrated to the Holy Savior. Later on, the names of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist were added, from which it derives its best-known name. From 1565 onwards this festivity was extended to all the churches of the Roman Rite.

—By honoring this sacred building we express love and veneration to the Roman Church that presides in charity over all the Catholic community.