You are God’s Temple: Ezk 47:1-2,8-9,12; 1 Cor 3:9-11,16-17; Jn 2:13-22 (C 32)

 

You are God’s Temple

 

Ezk 47:1-2,8-9,12; 1 Cor 3:9-11,16-17; Jn 2:13-22 (C 32)

 

“How delightful is your dwelling-place, Lord, God of hosts!” (Ps 84:1)

 

The Biblical Jerusalem that we hear about in today’s Liturgy holds a very special place in the history of salvation. It was King Solomon, around 966 years before Christ, who first established Jerusalem as the royal and religious center of Israel by building the magnificent First Temple — the dwelling place of God among his people. That Temple, however, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC, and the natives were deported into exile. Later, under Zerubbabel’s leadership, the exiles returned from Babylon and began rebuilding the Temple. It was completed and dedicated in 516 BC, during the reign of King Darius of Persia, at the time of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. Centuries later, King Herod the Great renovated and expanded that same Temple into a massive and splendid structure — the pride of Israel. But as Jesus himself foretold, it was destroyed by the Romans in the year 70 CE.

 

In today’s Gospel, we hear the story of Jesus’ anger cleansing the same Temple. The evangelist Luke presents it in two parts. First, Jesus’ action in the Temple driving out the money changers and the merchants; and second, his prediction about the destruction of the Temple, saying, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it.” At first, people were shocked because the Temple was the heart of Jewish life, the visible sign of God’s presence. And Jesus was speaking of himself as the true Temple — the living dwelling place of God. It was the time of the Passover, when thousands of pilgrims came to Jerusalem to offer sacrifice. For their convenience, animals were sold in the Temple precincts, and money changers exchanged Roman coins for the Temple tax. These practices, though practical, had turned God’s house into a place of trade. This is the cause of Jesus’ anger.

 

When Jesus drove out the merchants, he was not condemning the Temple itself, but he was purifying its purpose. He wanted the people to understand that worship cannot be mixed with greed or self-interest. He was pointing to a new reality: God no longer dwells in stone buildings, but in living hearts — first in His own Body and now in His Church, his living Body on earth. The river flowing from the Temple, spoken of by the prophet Ezekiel (Ezk 47), is a powerful image of the Holy Spirit. This river flows from Christ and his Church, bringing life, healing, and renewal to the whole world. Through the sacraments, especially Baptism and the Eucharist, we receive this living water — cleansing us from sin and giving us new life in the Spirit.

 

His anger is a reminder that we ourselves are called to be temples of God. That is why Saint Paul says, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor 3:16). Just as Jesus cleansed the physical Jerusalem Temple, so too our hearts and souls often need cleansing — from selfishness, pride, jealousy, or indifference. Our relationship with God is not a transaction; it is a relationship of love, like that of children toward their loving Father. God desires not our bargains, but our hearts. Our God is the God of the living; then our worship must also be alive — sincere, joyful, and active. When we participate in the Holy Mass, we are not spectators; we are offering our lives on the altar along with Christ in the person of the priest. Finally, this Gospel challenges us to look at our community of faith as a living temple. Each one of us is a living stone, and together we form the dwelling place of God. Let us therefore keep our temple holy by our reverence, unity, and service. Let us offer our time, talents, and treasures to build up the Body of Christ — our parish, our community, our families.

 

“Baptism makes every one of us into a temple of God”  (St Caesarius of Arles)