The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate how people gathered in the Spirit become Temples that radiate the Presence of God and bring life to others.
The reading from the Prophet Ezekiel describes a vision of Water Flowing from the Temple.
* [47:1–12] The life and refreshment produced wherever the Temple stream flows evoke the order and abundance of paradise (cf. Gn 1:20–22; 2:10–14; Ps 46:5) and represent the coming transformation Ezekiel envisions for the exiles and their land. Water signifies great blessings and evidence of the Lord’s presence (cf. Jl 2:14).
* [47:8] The sea: the Dead Sea, in which nothing can live. This vision of the Temple stream which transforms places of death into places of life is similar in purpose to the oracle of dry bones in 37:1–14: it offers the exiles hope for the future. (Ezekiel, CHAPTER 47, n.d.)
Psalm 46 praises God’s Defence of His City and People
* [Psalm 46] A song of confidence in God’s protection of Zion with close parallels to Ps 48. The dominant note in Ps 46 is sounded by the refrain, The LORD of hosts is with us (Ps 46:8, 12). The first strophe (Ps 46:2–4) sings of the security of God’s presence even in utter chaos; the second (Ps 46:5–8), of divine protection of the city from its enemies; the third (Ps 46:9–11), of God’s imposition of imperial peace. (Psalms, PSALM 46, n.d.)
The reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians describes the Role of God’s Ministers as temples of holiness.
* [3:10–11] There are diverse functions in the service of the community, but each individual’s task is serious, and each will stand accountable for the quality of his contribution.
* [3:17] Holy: i.e., “belonging to God.” The cultic sanctity of the community is a fundamental theological reality to which Paul frequently alludes (cf. 1 Cor 1:2, 30; 6:11; 7:14). (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus Cleanses the Temple.
* [2:13–22] This episode indicates the post-resurrectional replacement of the temple by the person of Jesus.
* [2:13] Passover: this is the first Passover mentioned in John; a second is mentioned in Jn 6:4; a third in Jn 13:1. Taken literally, they point to a ministry of at least two years.
* [2:14–22] The other gospels place the cleansing of the temple in the last days of Jesus’ life (Matthew, on the day Jesus entered Jerusalem; Mark, on the next day). The order of events in the gospel narratives is often determined by theological motives rather than by chronological data.
* [2:14] Oxen, sheep, and doves: intended for sacrifice. The doves were the offerings of the poor (Lv 5:7). Money-changers: for a temple tax paid by every male Jew more than nineteen years of age, with a half-shekel coin (Ex 30:11–16), in Syrian currency. See note on Mt 17:24.
* [2:17] Ps 69:10, changed to future tense to apply to Jesus.
* [2:19] This saying about the destruction of the temple occurs in various forms (Mt 24:2; 27:40; Mk 13:2; 15:29; Lk 21:6; cf. Acts 6:14). Mt 26:61 has: “I can destroy the temple of God…”; see note there. In Mk 14:58, there is a metaphorical contrast with a new temple: “I will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another not made with hands.” Here it is symbolic of Jesus’ resurrection and the resulting community (see Jn 2:21 and Rev 21:2). In three days: an Old Testament expression for a short, indefinite period of time; cf. Hos 6:2. (John, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)
George Butterfield comments that it is easy to get disturbed about what is happening in our world: war, terrorism, hatred. We even wonder sometimes what our own Church leaders are up to. But take heart: the City of God is not disturbed by these things because God is our refuge, our strength, our stronghold, an ever-present help in distress.
Jesus’ body is the living Temple of God. All of us who follow him are also temples of God. Our lives are called to holiness because the Spirit of God dwells in his temples. We become fruitful, life-giving temples when we feast on the water of life flowing from Jesus. Our bodies will one day be destroyed but, just as Jesus’ body was raised from the dead, we have been promised that our bodies, our temples, will also be raised.
In the meantime, let us glorify God in our bodies and bring life to the world. (Butterfield, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus cleanses the temple - his Father's house,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).
"But why did Christ use such violence? He was about to heal on the sabbath day and to do many things that appeared to them transgressions of the law. However, so that he might not appear to be acting as a rival to God and an opponent of his Father, he takes occasion to correct any such suspicion of theirs... He did not merely 'cast them out' but also 'overturned the tables' and 'poured out the money,' so that they could see how someone who threw himself into such danger for the good order of the house could never despise his master. If he had acted out of hypocrisy, he would have only advised them, but to place himself in such danger was very daring. It was no small thing to offer himself to the anger of so many market people or to excite against himself a most brutal mob of petty dealers by his reproaches and the disruption he caused. This was not, in other words, the action of a pretender but of one choosing to suffer everything for the order of the house. For the same reason, to show his agreement with the Father, he did not say 'the holy house' but 'my Father's house.' See how he even calls him 'Father,' and they are not angry with him. They thought he spoke in a more general way, but when he went on and spoke more plainly of his equality, this is when they become angry." (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 23.2) (Schwager, 2022)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17 comments that the Lateran Basilica in Rome serves as a sign of the unity of all the Catholic churches around the world. It’s not just that all these churches are united because of their relationship to the Lateran. We as believers are also united. We are “God’s building” and a sign of the physical presence of God in the world. Our foundation is Jesus Christ himself, and it is this shared foundation that unites us all as one (1 Corinthians 3:11).
Today’s feast is a chance to celebrate that together, we make up “God’s building” throughout the world (1 Corinthians 3:9). Wherever you live, and in whatever circumstances you find yourself, you can rejoice that you are part of a worldwide family of faith. You are not alone! In fact, God promises to not only be with you but to make his dwelling in you! As St. Paul says, “You are the temple of God, and . . . the Spirit of God dwells in you” (3:16). Rejoice today because of his presence in you and in every brother and sister in Christ around the world.
“Lord, thank you for making me part of your worldwide family. Thank you for making your home in me!” (Meditation on 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes that Ezekiel in exile in Babylon had a vision of the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem and the abundant life of Grace that would flow from the Temple. We ponder those levels of communication, like prayer, that go beyond those participating. Money changing and the purchase of animals for sacrifice had become an unruly marketplace that Jesus confronted. Friar Jude notes that the placement of the cleansing of the Temple in the Gospel of John suggests the purpose of this Gospel as a Passion Narrative.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author Diana Butler Bass who describes how Jesus’ actions upset ancient societal expectations of who could offer a “gift”.
Jesus opened the door for Zacchaeus to “come down” from his old life, to stop participating in a corrupt system of gratitude that oppressed his own people. In a moment, Jesus turned his world upside down: Who was the guest and who was the host?… Jesus imagined a place where oppressed and oppressor leave their “stations” and meet as friends, where forgiveness is practiced and gratitude expresses itself not in debt payment but in passing on generous gifts to others.…
[Jesus] established a table of hospitality where all are guests and no one owes anything to anyone else. Around this table, gifts pass without regard to payback or debt. Everyone sits. Everyone eats. And, recognizing that everything is a gift, all are grateful. (Rohr, 2023)
We may have been blessed by the understanding that prayer for us is effective in our lives and becomes the living water that connects us to fullness in life.
References
Butterfield, G. (2023, November 9). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 9, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/110923.html
Ezekiel, CHAPTER 47. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/47?1
John, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/2?13
Meditation on 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 9, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/11/09/823989/
1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/3?
Psalms, PSALM 46. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/46?2
Rohr, R. (2023, November 9). A Grateful Change of Heart — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 9, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-grateful-change-of-heart/
Schwager, D. (2022, October 2). Zeal for the Father's House. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved November 9, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=nov9a
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