FIRST READING
Ezekiel 47:1–2, 8–9, 12
The angel brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the façade of the temple was toward the east; the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple, south of the altar. He led me outside by the north gate, and around to the outer gate facing the east, where I saw water trickling from the southern side. He said to me, “This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah, and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh. 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. Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine.”
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 46:2–3, 5–6, 8–9 (5)
R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress. Therefore, we fear not, though the earth be shaken and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.
R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High. God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed; God will help it at the break of dawn.
R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Come! behold the deeds of the LORD, the astounding things he has wrought on earth.
R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 3:9c–11, 16–17
Brothers and sisters:
You are 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.
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.
ALLELUIA
2 Chronicles 7:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I have chosen and consecrated this house, says the Lord, that my name may be there forever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
John 2:13–22
Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 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. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.
REFLECTIONS:
What can keep us from the presence of God? Jesus
dramatic cleansing of the temple was seen by his disciples as a prophetic
sign of Gods action. The temple was understood as the dwelling place
of God among his people. When God delivered his people from slavery in
Egypt, he brought them through the sea, and finally to Mount Sinai where
he made a covenant with them and gave them a new way of life embodied in
the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). God gave Moses instruction for worship
and for making the Tabernacle, or tent of meeting, which was later replaced
by the temple. The New Testament tells us that these serve as a copy and
shadow of the heavenly sanctuary Gods Temple in heaven (Hebrews 8:5).
Jesus cleansing of the temple is also a prophetic sign of what he wants
to do with each of us. He ever seeks to cleanse us of sin and make us living
temples of his Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Do you want to be holy
as God is holy?
Jesus referred to the temple as his Fathers house which was being
made into house of trade (John 2:16) or den of robbers (Mark 11:17).
That is why he used physical force to expel the money-chargers. The prophecy
of Malachi foretold the coming of the Lord unexpectedly to his Temple to
purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, till they
present right offerings to the Lord (Malachi 3:1-4). Jesus' disciples
recalled the words of Psalm 69: Zeal for your house will consume me.
This was understood as a Messianic prophecy. Here the disciples saw more
clearly Jesus as the Messiah who burned with zeal for God's house. The
Jewish authorities, however, wanted proof that Jesus had divine authority
to act as he did. They demanded a sign from God to prove Jesus right, otherwise,
they would treat him as an imposter and a usurper of their authority. Jesus
replied that the sign God would give would be Jesus' death on the cross
and resurrection from the tomb: "Destroy this temple, and in three days
I will raise it up." The Jews did not understand that the temple Jesus
referred to was his own body. The tent of his body had to be destroyed
to open the way to the presence of God for us. Through his death and resurrection,
Jesus
not only reconciles us with God, but he fills us with his Holy Spirit and
makes us temples of the living God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). God's word
enlightens our minds and purifies our hearts that we may offer God fitting
worship and enjoy his presence both now and forever. Do you burn with zeal
for the Lords house?
"Lord Jesus Christ, you open wide the door of your Fathers house and
you bid us to enter confidently that we may worship in spirit and truth.
Help me to draw near to your throne of mercy with gratitude and joy."
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