1 Corinthians 3:9-11,16-17; Psalm 46; John 2: 13-22
This church is titled “The mother and head of all churches of the city and of the world,” the “Urrbis et Orbis” church, the cathedral of the bishop of Rome, the Pope. The readings chosen, however, do not emphasize the importance of a building but rather the centrality of the Temple which is the very Body of Christ, that is, us. After cleansing the temple with its marketplace atmosphere, Jesus points to his Body as the true Temple. We are built on Christ as our foundation, Paul instructs. “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells within you?...God’s temple is holy and you are that temple.”
We could spend days, even a life time pondering those last two sentences in our hearts. If we really really really knew that God’s Spirit lived within our bodies what changes might we make? In the treatment of our bodies? In the treatment of others’ bodies? In our attitudes, our emotions? Of whom should we be afraid if the Spirit lives within us and we are the Body of Christ?
A new heart create in us, O God, and a steadfast spirit put within us. Give us the joy of your salvation, the joy and freedom flowing from our realizing that your Spirit lives within us.