Reflection Questions
Reflection Questions for Lateran Basilica
November 9, 2003
by Paul Gallagher, OFM

John 2: 13-22

Background

The Lateran Basilica is the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Rome. Many Catholics mistakenly think that St. Peter's is the principle church of the pope. The chair of the bishop, which signifies the teaching authority of the bishop in each diocese, is placed in a prominent location in each cathedral. For the diocese of Rome this chair is located in Achbasilica of St. John Lateran. The anniversary if its dedication has been celebrated on November 3 since the twelfth century.

In the other gospels place Jesus' turning the tables in the temple at Jerusalem at the end of their gospel. Placed at the end of the gospel the incident seems to offer an explanation of why the phrases finally had Jesus arrested and eventually turned him over to Pilate for execution. By placing the incident at the beginning of his gospel John seems to saying that Jesus' significance is overturning role of the temple of Jerusalem and taking that role upon himself. The first reading (Ezekiel 471-2, 8-9, 12) helps the reader understand how important the temple was a sign of God's presence and source of blessings for the people. Paul draws again on the important temple to help the Christian community to realize their new relationship in Christ when he says that they are the temple of God. (Corinthians 316)

Reflection Questions:
  1. Have you ever been present when a person you know to be quite and even tempered became very angry? How did you feel at the time? What caused them to become angry? Can you identify some of the values that were being defended by the person who became angry? Do you feel they were justified?
  2. What are some symbols of God's presence in your life? When you envision God's grace, peace, or presence flowing through out the world to you invasions that happening focal points?
  3. Why do you think we have continued to place so much importance on churches as a sing of God's presence in our world?
  4. What are some of the things that make you angry? What are the values that are the source of your anger? Do the ways that you express your anger express the real issues?

(Comments to Paul at frpaul@franoutreach.org.)

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