Sunday - feast of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Today we celebrate the very interesting feast of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica. This is the first church ever to be publicly blessed and dedicated. The gift of Constantine to the Christian community began with the Lateran palace given to Pope Melchiades in 312, which became the residence of the popes until Pope Clement V moved the papacy to Avignon in 1309 -- nearly 1000 years, therefore. In 320, Constantine built a church on the model of the Roman basilica (court). The church dedicated to the Most Holy Savior was blessed on 9 November 324 by Pope Sylvester.

The Lateran basilica became the cathedral church of the bishop of Rome, but it also has another significance. It is the first church that was expressly built as a center for worship in Rome, in the West, and in the whole world actually (in urbe et in orbe). It is therefore the mother of all churches (in terms of buildings) and the symbol of unity (in western Catholicism).

Many reflections for this day… starting with yesterday evening when we had a special presentation during evening prayer, and continuing with mass and other prayer services today. For the mass I attended at Don Rua Community Chapel. Fr Aimable Musoni was principal celebrant and preacher. He gave a brilliant homily, stressing the Church as living body of Christ.

One little piece of news about the Lateran Basilica that I had previously failed to grasp is this. The church is built, we say, in cruciform — in the shape of the cross. This is not accurate. It is really built in the shape of the crucified, that is, in the shape of Christ crucified. In other words, the basilica is built in the shape of the Body of Christ so that the church structure can help to shape the Church as people into the Mystical Body of Christ.

How is this so? How is it like the human body and not the cross? Well, the apse of the church, where the sanctuary is, at the very "top" of the floor plan, is rounded, like the human head. Then the two "arms" of the basilica reach out, in cross form, but also to speak of invitation, of embrace. Yes, of course. Romans are expressive with their gestures. Their buildings are just as expressive in human terms. This means, then, that the basilica, used for major celebrations, invites the Church to truly unite with Christ and to let Christ form himself in her — in us.

Amazing element. It has given me much to consider, for here is unspoken language that built understanding for centuries before there were books and print media... but language that built a theology of Church. It is very exciting to think about this, even at 7.30 in the morning.

After mass I joined the Don Rua community again for breakfast and had a chance to speak with Fr Peter Gonsalves again. He explained his course on "Communications for Peace". It is quite fascinating. I would like to see him offer this course in Berkeley.