What Is God’s True Temple?
Br. Humbert McCrorey, O.P., reflects on the Gospel for the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica.
The readings this day speak about a temple, a building from which a stream flows bringing life and blessing. The readings also quote St. Paul saying that we are God’s Temple. In addition, today’s Gospel has Jesus Christ cleansing the Temple and then justifying His actions by saying that He is God’s Temple, which He will raise up three days after it is destroyed. So, which temple is God’s true temple? Is the temple a building, is it us, or is it Jesus Christ?
Well, it's ALL these things.
Jesus told the Samaritans that soon God will be worshiped neither on Mount Horeb nor in Jerusalem, but in spirit and in truth, meaning that we would worship God at our local parishes, in our souls, and in Him, the Truth.
Our parishes have been dedicated by a bishop, set aside not for business but for worshiping God. We are no longer bound to one temple in Jerusalem as the Israelites were, but we can worship where we live. We ourselves are also temples that have been dedicated to God at our baptism. We bring Christ with us — in our souls and in our actions. We are the water that flows from the temple in Ezekiel’s vision, and as that river we bring God’s blessings to the world.
Jesus Christ Himself is also the perfect Temple. Jesus says, “destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up again” meaning that His Body is the temple. He prophesied His Resurrection to answer the question of His authority. By His Resurrection, He proved He has the authority to cleanse the physical temple but also us, as His spiritual temples. Just like Jesus drove the money changers out of the Temple in Jerusalem, He has the right to drive the moneychangers of our daily distractions from us, His spiritual temples. Let us celebrate this feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica and by praying for the Vicar of Christ in His earthly Church.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, please bless Pope Leo and guide his administration of your Church, Please fill us with zeal for Your house, that we may be a river of blessings to the entire world. Through the Most Holy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
