Ex.47:1-2,8-9,12 R.Ps.46 1 Cor.3:9-11,16-17 Jn.2:13-22
“As we walk in a large city, we cannot fail to notice all kinds of buildings. Some are very tall and modern, others are old, some of them linked to our history and as such must be preserved as a part of our heritage. But there are also ordinary ones – their size and style reflecting the period when they were built. Rich residence or humble abode are important to us when they stand as our ‘home’. But they are also symbolic structures: government buildings and churches belong to this group. They have a special function, they are part of our lives.
On this Sunday, our celebration is focused on such a special building. It is called the Basilica of St John of the Lateran. Some of us who have been visiting Rome may have seen it. Others among us will have seen a picture of it. It is the cathedral church of the diocese of Rome. It is the oldest and is seen as the first of the four great basilicas of Rome. It is dedicated to Christ our Saviour. However, the readings of our celebration help us to reflect deeper than this building of stone. They lead us to understand that God’s presence is not confined to structures built by human hands.
In the gospel, we see Jesus driving out the people who were doing business in the temple of Jerusalem. Of course, they are angry with him. It is then that he makes an unusual claim, saying: “Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.” The meaning of his words is lost the Jews hearing this and they say that it took forty-six years to build that temple. John who writes this gospel says: “But he was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body.”
Do you see your own body as a sanctuary – God’s house? You hesitate, you wonder . . . In the 2nd reading, Paul says it clearly to the Corinthians. “We are God’s building...” And he adds: “Did you not realise that you were God’s temple... the temple of God is sacred and you are that temple.” Amazing words indeed. Sad to say, many of us fail to realise this. We may not pay much attention to this wonderful reality.
On the eve of his death, Jesus says openly: “If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him.” (Jn.14:23). The Christmas story tells us that “He lived among us”. But a more literal translation says: “He pitched his tent among us” (Jn.1:14). In fact, we are his tent! Yes, you and I are God’s home – this is the choice of ‘residence’ he has made!
Have you ever had this experience of coming home at night time thinking you are alone? It is dark, there is no light on, no sound, no movement. Yet, strangely enough you feel there is someone in the house – and you discover that you are right as soon as you switch on the light. You see your husband or wife there whom you thought had travelled far away.
God is never far away, he is always there ‘at home’ – at home in us. Jesus had said it to the Samaritan woman at the well. God does not favour a temple, a sanctuary, a church (Jn.4:21-24). He wants to live in the human beings he has created.
It is up to each one of us to... make him ‘feel at home’!
“As we walk in a large city, we cannot fail to notice all kinds of buildings. Some are very tall and modern, others are old, some of them linked to our history and as such must be preserved as a part of our heritage. But there are also ordinary ones – their size and style reflecting the period when they were built. Rich residence or humble abode are important to us when they stand as our ‘home’. But they are also symbolic structures: government buildings and churches belong to this group. They have a special function, they are part of our lives.
On this Sunday, our celebration is focused on such a special building. It is called the Basilica of St John of the Lateran. Some of us who have been visiting Rome may have seen it. Others among us will have seen a picture of it. It is the cathedral church of the diocese of Rome. It is the oldest and is seen as the first of the four great basilicas of Rome. It is dedicated to Christ our Saviour. However, the readings of our celebration help us to reflect deeper than this building of stone. They lead us to understand that God’s presence is not confined to structures built by human hands.
In the gospel, we see Jesus driving out the people who were doing business in the temple of Jerusalem. Of course, they are angry with him. It is then that he makes an unusual claim, saying: “Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.” The meaning of his words is lost the Jews hearing this and they say that it took forty-six years to build that temple. John who writes this gospel says: “But he was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body.”
Do you see your own body as a sanctuary – God’s house? You hesitate, you wonder . . . In the 2nd reading, Paul says it clearly to the Corinthians. “We are God’s building...” And he adds: “Did you not realise that you were God’s temple... the temple of God is sacred and you are that temple.” Amazing words indeed. Sad to say, many of us fail to realise this. We may not pay much attention to this wonderful reality.
On the eve of his death, Jesus says openly: “If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him.” (Jn.14:23). The Christmas story tells us that “He lived among us”. But a more literal translation says: “He pitched his tent among us” (Jn.1:14). In fact, we are his tent! Yes, you and I are God’s home – this is the choice of ‘residence’ he has made!
Have you ever had this experience of coming home at night time thinking you are alone? It is dark, there is no light on, no sound, no movement. Yet, strangely enough you feel there is someone in the house – and you discover that you are right as soon as you switch on the light. You see your husband or wife there whom you thought had travelled far away.
God is never far away, he is always there ‘at home’ – at home in us. Jesus had said it to the Samaritan woman at the well. God does not favour a temple, a sanctuary, a church (Jn.4:21-24). He wants to live in the human beings he has created.
It is up to each one of us to... make him ‘feel at home’!