Focusing the Gospel

Key words and phrases: Destroy this temple, the temple of his body, raised from the dead, disciples. ... came to believe

To the point: What a mess Jesus made! He spilled coins, overturned tables, and even destroyed the most important institution in all of Israel—the temple as God's dwelling place. He declared that the place of God's presence among people was no longer a building but the “temple of his body.” This “temple of his body” would be destroyed by enemies but then raised up to new life dwell­ing among us—and within us who are now the Body of Christ. What a new creation God made!

… to the First Reading: Only the power of God could build a new and permanent temple—the risen Body of Christ. We proclaim Christ crucified because in the seeming foolishness of his death we know the wisdom and strength of the God of life.

… to experience: The pressures of life often keep us from taking the time to stop and listen—to each other, to ourselves, and to God. But only by taking the time to listen can we grow in our relationships, in our quality of life, in self-understanding, and in discipleship.