I saw water flowing from the temple, and all who were touched by it were saved. The Lateran Basilica, also known as the Basilica of St. John Lateran is the cathedral of Rome. It is the episcopal seat of the pope as the bishop of Rome. Today’s feast, instituted on the anniversary of the church’s dedication (Nov 9 ^th324), honors this church for what it represents: the unity of the Church. Because of its prominence, it was christened the ‘ Mother and Head of all Churches of Rome and the World’ and it became a sign of love and union with the See of Peter.  While the Lateran Basilica is certainly historical, we honor it today, not because it dates back to the 4 ^thcentury, but rather because of what it stands for (and in so doing, we honor as well all the churches throughout Christendom). 
The Church is the instrument of God’s salvation. The Church stands as a living symbol of the covenant that God made with humanity (I will be your God and you will be my people [cf. Exodus 6:7; Jeremiah 30:22]). As such, wherever the Church (structure) stands, men and women should be reminded of God living in their midst (cf. Leviticus 26:12). In the reading from the prophet Ezekiel, the prophet is shown a vision of God’s temple. As the dwelling place of God, the temple becomes a source of life-giving water (God is life). Anything that comes into contact with this life-giving water is given a share in that life. Barren lands are turned into fertile lands and disease causing waters are healed. The Church is the symbol of the life-giving presence of God in the world. Through her preaching of the good news, the Church brings life and healing to the ends of the earth.