杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

On the façade of the Basilica of St John Lateran is a Latin inscription that identifies it as 鈥淢other and Head of all Churches in Rome and the World鈥�. It is the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 Cathedral, insofar as he is Bishop of Rome, and it is the oldest Basilica in the Western world. The 杏MAP导航 visits St John Lateran every year on the feast day that commemorates its dedication by 杏MAP导航 Sylvester I, on 9 November AD 324.

In his homily during the Mass, 杏MAP导航 Francis chose three verses from the liturgical readings to share with the diocesan community, with priests, and with pastoral workers, asking that they 鈥渕editate and pray over them鈥�.

For the diocesan community

The 杏MAP导航 addressed the first verse to the entire diocesan community of Rome. It was from the Responsorial Psalm: "A river whose streams make glad the city of God". Christians who live in this city 鈥渁re like the river that flows from the temple鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渢hey bring a Word of life and hope capable of making the deserts of our hearts fertile鈥�.

Referring to St John Lateran as 鈥渢he Mother Church of Rome鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 prayed she might 鈥渆xperience the consolation of seeing once again the obedience and courage of her children, full of enthusiasm for this new season of evangelization鈥�. 杏MAP导航 Francis described this as 鈥渕eeting others, entering into dialogue with them, listening to them with humility, graciousness and poverty of heart鈥�.

For priests

杏MAP导航 Francis dedicated the second verse, from St Paul鈥檚 Letter to the Corinthians, to priests: "No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ". This is the heart of your ministry, said the 杏MAP导航: 鈥渢o help the community be always at the Lord鈥檚 feet listening to His Word; to keep it away from all worldliness, and bad compromises; to guard the foundation and blessed roots of the spiritual edifice; to defend it from rapacious wolves, and from those who want to deflect it from the way of the Gospel鈥�.

杏MAP导航 Francis expressed his gratitude to the priests of Rome, telling them he admires their faith and love for the Lord, their closeness to the people and their generosity in caring for the poor. 鈥淵ou know the districts of the city like no other, and you keep the faces, smiles and tears of so many people in your hearts鈥�, he said.

For pastoral workers

杏MAP导航 Francis reserved the last verse for pastoral workers. He explained the Gospel account of Jesus鈥� casting out the merchants and moneylenders from the Temple. 鈥淪ometimes, in order to unsettle peoples鈥� stubbornness and lead them to make radical changes, God chooses to take strong action鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航. He pointed out an important detail in this Gospel passage: 鈥淭he merchants were in the courtyard of the pagans, the area accessible to non-Jews鈥�, he said.

But God wants His temple to be a house of prayer for all peoples, 鈥渉ence Jesus' decision to overthrow the money changers鈥� tables and drive out the animals鈥�. Jesus knew this provocation would cost Him dearly, said 杏MAP导航 Francis: when they ask Him, "What sign can you show us to prove your authority?", the Lord answers saying: "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days鈥�.

Rebuilding the temple

鈥淚n our lives as sinners, it often happens that we distance ourselves from the Lord鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淲e destroy the temple of God that is each one of us鈥� Yet it takes the Lord three days to rebuild His temple within us鈥�.

杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged pastoral teams to find 鈥渘ew ways to meet those who are far from the faith and from the Church鈥�. No one, no matter how wounded by evil, is condemned to be separated from God on this earth forever, he said.

鈥淲e may sometimes encounter mistrust and hostility鈥�, concluded 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥渂ut we must hold onto the belief that it takes God three days to raise His Son in someone鈥檚 heart鈥�.