The prophet Haggai is persuading the community to complete the project of rebuilding the Lord’s temple.
So is the Psalmist.
So is Jesus in the gospel of Mark.
We rebuild God’s temple---where God lives---by living in a new way. God’s temple isn’t a building (as it was in Haggai’s time). It is a people. God declares that God lives in God’s people---humanity.
We rebuild God’s temple when we strive to live from what we have in common---the unity the Psalmist sings about---rather than living a life that is fighting about our differences.
We rebuild God’s temple when we seek reconciliation rather than proving we are right.
We rebuild God’s temple when we seek union with God through prayer rather than filling our schedule with more and more ways to “get ahead.” Jesus turns over the tables because the people are focused on their own needs rather than the needs of the community. Because the people are living in ways that declare they provide their own security, and it is not God who provides for us.
Today’s readings beg us to consider: How will we rebuild God’s temple today?
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