Reading 1
Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
The angel brought me
back to the entrance of the temple,
and I saw water flowing out
from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east,
for the façade of the temple was toward the east;
the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple,
south of the altar.
He led me outside by the north gate,
and around to the outer gate facing the east,
where I saw water trickling from the southern side.
He said to me,
“This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah,
and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh.
Wherever the river flows,
every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live,
and there shall be abundant fish,
for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh.
Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow;
their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail.
Every month they shall bear fresh fruit,
for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary.
Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine.”
Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
Responsorial PsalmR. (5)
The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Therefore, we fear not, though the earth be shaken
and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.
R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;
God will help it at the break of dawn.
R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
The LORD of hosts is with us;
our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
Come! behold the deeds of the LORD,
the astounding things he has wrought on earth.
R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
Reading 2
1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17
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.
Gospel
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.
At this the Jews answered and said to him,
“What sign can you show us for doing this?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”
The Jews said,
“This temple has been under construction for forty-six years,
and you will raise it up in three days?”
But he was speaking about the temple of his Body.
Therefore, when he was raised from the dead,
his disciples remembered that he had said this,
and they came to believe the Scripture
and the word Jesus had spoken.
Meditation: Ezekiel 47:1-2,8-9,12
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
I saw water flowing. (Ezekiel 47:1)
Today’s feast is in honor of the first basilica built in Rome after Emperor Constantine granted Christians their religious freedom in a.d. 313. Because it was and still is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, we remember St. John Lateran as a way to express our union with the whole church, led by Christ’s vicar on earth. In a way, though, this feast is really about three buildings.
The first is the Jerusalem Temple in Ezekiel’s vision. The prophet sees water seeping out from under the front door. Usually a sign of some plumbing disaster, this water signifies just the opposite. Emerging from the innermost sanctuary, it is a promise of God’s healing and salvation for his people. As Ezekiel watches, the trickle swells into a mighty river that makes the whole land a paradise for every living creature.
The Basilica of St. John Lateran—the second building—features a magnificent mosaic that interprets Ezekiel’s river imagery in the light of Christ. It shows Jesus on the cross, with the Holy Spirit pictured as a dove above him. Streams of living water flow from the Spirit and the new Temple of Christ’s body, broadening out into a Jordan River that teems with fish, fowl, and lush vegetation—all symbols of Baptism and the richness of new life in Christ.
The third building, of course, is the universal church, the body of Christ, which was established as blood and water flowed from the side of Christ. In this healing flow, Ezekiel’s vision is fulfilled. Now, through the Holy Spirit, a great river goes out from the whole church, bringing life wherever it goes. And each of us is a part of it!
Today’s feast calls us to reflect on Jesus’ promise that if we believe in him, streams of living water will flow out from us to others (John 7:38). Are we drinking deeply from these waters of life? Are we trying our best to immerse ourselves in God’s presence through the sacraments, Scripture, and heart-to-heart prayer? Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us press on. A thirsty world is waiting.
“Jesus, I’m thirsty for more of you. Refresh me with your living water so that I can bring your unity, peace, and healing to everyone I meet.”
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