The Temple Of God, Which You Are, Is Holy

November 9, 2009

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. Ezekiel 47:9

For we are God's co-workers; you are God's field, 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 3:9-11

Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking about the temple of his body. John 2:19-21

Piety

My servant David shall be prince over them, and there shall be one shepherd for them all; they shall live by my statutes and carefully observe my decrees. They shall live on the land which I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where their fathers lived; they shall live on it forever, they, and their children, and their children's children, with my servant David their prince forever. I will make with them a covenant of peace; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them, and I will multiply them, and put my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling shall be with them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Thus the nations shall know that it is I, the LORD, who make Israel holy, when my sanctuary shall be set up among them forever. Ezekiel 37:24-28

Study

Since the time of Moses and the book of Exodus, the Lord has been asking us to make him a dwelling place. “They shall make a sanctuary for me, that I may dwell in their midst.” Exodus 25:8

Centuries later, the word was made flesh and dwelt among us. However, when Jesus came into the world, his parents did not have a proper bed for him in a Bethlehem inn. After all that time of preparation, the world did not seem ready for this prince of peace. It seemed to little care to provide the young family with any safety or security. Instead, the Holy Family blessed the stable and turned it into a Temple for Life.

Today, in John’s Gospel, the temple has been turned back into a stable with oxen, sheep, and doves. So Jesus sets out to turn it back into the place where the Lord dwells.

Jesus has grown up into a special preacher who is now recognized by the disciples he calls and other witnesses. As they awaken to his words and signs, they begin to follow Jesus because they know that they have found someone special.

“Rabbi, where are you staying?” These disciples wonder where Jesus lives while he dwells among them. So Jesus invites them along on a journey of discovery where they will not only find out about Jesus but also will discern about themselves. They will indeed learn where he lives but also realize that he is making a place for us in his father’s home (we live in Him) and also that he offers himself to us as the Bread of Life (He lives in us). All this is to fulfill the prophecies of the Hebrew Bible.

When we have something special, we make a special place where we try to keep it safe. The temple is that place for Jesus. Many of the key events in his life flowed out from the temple. As an infant, Mary and Joseph presented him to God in the temple. As a young boy, his anxious parents “lost him” in a crowd. When they found him, he was within the safety of the temple – his father’s house. This house has a special attraction to him. It is his special place. The temple is where he began preaching and performing signs in the temple. Today, he worked to purify that temple from those who would invade and defile it with commercial transactions. When others did not treat the temple with respect, Jesus was there to cleanse it.

Our actions mirror Jesus when we want to make someplace special. Consider expectant parents. How many times have you asked or overheard the questions, “Is the nursery ready?” The nursery has become the allegory for the readiness of the parents for the force that is about to overtake them. Watch how they prepare the nursery for the baby to come. Painting. Bedding. Carpeting. Fancy wall paper. A rocking chair. Maybe an intercom to hear the baby cry if they are away in another room. Before the baby even arrives, they try to have a place ready for him.

Just as these loving parents prepare a place for their expectant child, Jesus is preparing a place for us. Not only in the temple he cleansed, but also in the house of his father. As he tells us later in John’s Gospel, “In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where (I) am going you know the way.” John 14:2-4

Jesus makes his temple in many places. He uses churches. He uses mountains. He uses deserts. He uses seashores. He uses hillside. But in the end, he uses the hearts of his friends. “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” John 14:23

Action

Where can you go in silence and hear God’s word?

We, too, make our temple in many locations. Just as the Lord prepares a special place for us, he asks us to recognize that we must not only respect his temple but also to respect our bodies which are temples where the Lord lives and to prepare a special place for others though our love in action.

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Where is our temple for the Lord? Where does the Lord dwell in our lives? In our minds? In our hearts? On our lips? On our hands?

Today, as the Church celebrates the dedication of the Lateran Basilica which is the seat for the Bishop of Rome (who is the Pope), let us also celebrate the place we dedicate to the Lord -- where we make a seat for Jesus in our own hearts and homes.

If you have not already, set up a special place at home where you will go to pray, surround it with books, signs and symbols that will make it a special place from where you can engage in a dialogue with the Lord to strengthen your piety and study. If you have set up that place, spend some extra time there each morning and evening.

To round out your holiday Action Tripod leg, take new inspiration from your prayer and study. Plan the special services that you will offer throughout this holiday season.