Built on the land of the Lateran family, the Basilica of St John Lateran is dedicated to St John the Baptist. It was the seat of Church government for a thousand years until the pope moved to the Vatican in the 13th century. The history of this building is a parable of the Church. It has been attacked, invaded, vandalized and rebuilt.

Church buildings are symbols of something greater than themselves. St Paul states that the Church is made up of people - people who transmit a life and a tradition. For centuries the Church has been called the "Mystical Body of Christ". It was designated as God's Temple being indwelt by Christ and His Spirit. Not only is Jesus and the Holy Spirit living in the Church but also in the individual believer as His Temple. Yes, we are the Temple of the living God with Him dwelling in us. God's Temple must be holy as God is holy. For that reason St Paul warns strongly against any defilement of the human body by impurity or immorality. Jesus also critizes the misuse of the Temple and He greatly desires us to be holy. Let us then examine ourselves and see what is lacking in us to be holy!