Daily Readings - Thu Nov 09 2017
First Reading - Ezekiel 47.1-2, 8-9, 12
Ezekiel
Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
Gospel - John 2.13-22
John
And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?But he spake of the temple of his body.When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful visions of life, renewal, and the presence of God. Ezekiel describes a river flowing from the temple, symbolizing the life-giving Spirit of God that heals and nurtures all it touches. This vision, set during the Babylonian exile, offers hope to the Israelites of God's restoration. The river's abundance and the fruit trees along its banks represent the vibrant life that comes from God's presence. In John's Gospel, Jesus cleanses the temple, restoring its sacred purpose by driving out commerce. His prophecy about rebuilding the temple in three days points to his resurrection, linking the physical temple to the spiritual temple of his body.
Both readings highlight the temple as a symbol of God's presence. Ezekiel's river prefigures the Holy Spirit's outpouring, while Jesus' actions in the temple emphasize the new life and purification he brings. This connection underscores the temple's role as a source of divine life—Ezekiel's vision is a future hope, while John's narrative is its fulfillment in Jesus.
In our daily lives, we are called to view our bodies and communities as temples of the Holy Spirit. We must ensure our lives and communities are places of worship, free from worldly distractions. Just as Jesus cleansed the temple, we should cleanse our hearts from sin, making room for God's presence. The moral lesson is clear: we must zealously maintain the sacredness of our relationship with God, focusing on spiritual renewal through reflection, prayer, and a life that honors Him.