Devout people of the Jewish faith are expected to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem at least once in their lives. Hindus annually descend upon the Ganges River for Kumbh Mela. And the Islamic Hajj dictates that all Muslims must visit Mecca if at all possible.
But Christians do not believe in the necessity of pilgrimage. As worthwhile as a trip to Rome or the Holy Land may be, it is not required of us.
There are many places in the Christian world that are considered significant, and there is no doubt as to the spiritual benefits that can be derived from visiting them. One of these places is the cathedral in Rome, commonly known as St. John Lateran. It is the founding of this church we celebrate today. All of these venerable sites are thought of as places where heaven and earth meet.
But for the Christian there are no longer any truly holy places, there are only holy people. When we genuflect in church it is not to the gilded tabernacle, but to the divine person eucharistically dwelling there.
The Book of Revelation tells us that the new Jerusalem does not have a temple, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb. (Rev 21:22)
It is the baptized human soul that is the new temple of God. The soul is the place of community, of teaching, and where the true sacrifice of charity is offered. The soul is where heaven and earth are truly joined.
Pax vobiscum
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome