You Are God’s Building

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

“Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine." Ezekiel 47:9, 12

You are God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder, I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:9C-11

Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." John 2:19

Piety

God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Therefore, we fear not, though the earth be shaken
and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea. Psalm 46:2-3

Study

The River of Life flows on.

The life and refreshment resulting wherever the Temple stream flows evoke the order and abundance of paradise that we first heard about back in Genesis before the fall. Water signifies great blessings and cleansing.  Where there is water, there is evidence of the Lord’s life-giving, challenging presence.

Yet, sometimes, we come to take it for granted.  I am often struck by how some converts to the faith react to seeing the posture and demeanor of cradle Catholics in the line for Communion. They cannot believe how nonchalant they (we?) approach the altar to partake in the Sacrament.

We do get lulled into our routines. Back in ancient Palestine, people traveled for days to get to Jerusalem for the Passover.  They did not always have unlimited trunk space in their car or carry-on baggage to bring along the doves which would be sacrificed on the altar.  That is the practical reason why a small cottage industry sprang up outside the temple selling these birds and other animals for sacrifices offered by the faithful. Plus, men over nineteen had to pay the temple tax. The money changers were there like the volunteer Knights of Columbus offering a service to allow the faithful to get “exact change” before entering the temple. If you were casually selling some pigeons or making change for the tax in Jerusalem the day Jesus came by, you probably did not think you were doing anything wrong or out of the ordinary.

How wrong they were! Jesus cannot believe how nonchalant they (we?) approach the Temple to participate in Passover.  He knew the Temple of his Body was totally committed to a path in life that would ascend Golgotha with a cross on his back.  There is nothing nonchalant about Good Friday.

Is there a better, less selfish, less commercial approach to the Temple sacrifice

The Presentation: A Model of Strength

during Passover?  We see one when Joseph and Mary present their son in the temple (although even on that day of the Presentation in the Temple, Joseph brought two turtle doves to sacrifice, too).

“When Mary offers Jesus in the temple…she is just as surely offering herself.  And she does it with fortitude and forbearance as a sign to all of us that self-giving is not something that is done in a moment, in a single act, in a flash of mind devoid of echoes throughout life. [i]

Going to the temple is not about convenience, it is about commitment.

Action

When we begin something new – a school year, a diet, an art project, or a new medical regime – we have to see it through. Just because we start the endeavor enthusiastically, does not mean that we will have the energy and perseverance to stay on task until it is completed. We must have the depth of commitment it takes to carry us through to the end…the kind of commitment Jesus had to see his life through to the crucifixion.  He wanted nothing to get in the way – not even the opportunistic money changers and sellers.

Sr. Joan’s reflection on the Presentation in the Temple, reminds us that those who take on the life of Jesus will suffer the consequences of such a step.  What we do has consequences. There is no half-way in Christianity.  It is “All-in” or nothing.  Just because the kneelers have cushions does not mean this is going to be easy.

“Mary of the Presentation teaches us that the Christ-life, once begun, must determine every moment of our lives.”[ii]

Mary, woman of strength, be with us.

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[i] “In Pursuit of Peace: Praying the Rosary Through the Psalms” by Joan D. Chittister, OSB. Erie, Pennsylvania. 1992. Pax Christi USA.

[ii] Ibid.

Image credit: From the above pamphlet, by Mary Southard, CSJ, a Sister of St. Joseph of LaGrange, Illinois. Mary's work can be seen at http://www.marysouthardart.org/