Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, 9th November All Years
Ezekiel was deported to Babylon with the Jews in 598 BC. He explained the fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the temple as God’s punishment for his people, and predicted a new day and a new temple for Israel. Today we hear about the extensive supply of life-giving water that will pour from this new temple, enough even to make the Dead Sea fresh enough for fish.
The Psalm is a hymn of victory: we trust in the Lord, he will protect us in his city.
The Jews believed God dwelt in the temple in Jerusalem. But, writing from Ephesus around AD 54, Paul tells the Corinthians that “you are God’s sanctuary” since “God’s Spirit dwells in you”. They are being built into “God’s holy temple”. They should stop quarrelling among themselves and be a community united in loving service. Sowing dissension damages God’s temple and will be punished.
Near the beginning of John’s gospel, after the disciples are chosen and the marriage at Cana, Jesus proclaims his mission by cleansing the Jerusalem temple. The temple had become a business, in which those in religious authority profited from the spiritual needs of the people. His Father’s house should not be misused: trade and power have no place in it.
(Ezek 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Ps 45(46):2-3,5-6,8-9; 1 Cor 3:9-11, 16-17; Jn 2:13-22)