Luke 21:5-19
When Jesus speaks about the temple and all it's glory and how not one stone will be left upon another, he is speaking literally and figuratively, a method he often employed when speaking. History will show that the temple in Jerusalem was in fact razed. However the 'temple' that is Jesus was crucified died and was raised three days later in glory.
We can see that the notion of 'temple' relates not just to buildings but also to bodies. If the body is a temple, the gay community has some mighty fine temples walking around. It almost would seem an obsession of sorts. In the general public at large the idea of your body as a temple is seen in the growing trend to watch everything that we eat, to respect our bodies and nourish it with only foods that are good, natural and wholesome. This is another way of respecting the temple that is our bodies. With some exceptions I am on board with this trend. I think any religion worth its salt would also see our bodies as creations of God that should be respected.
But then there is the passage that speaks of beautifully adorned temples being razed. We will be razed. That is, we will surely die one day. Sometimes, sadly, that time comes too soon and loved ones leave us. Surely Jesus left us too soon, especially in the eyes of the Apostles and His mother who were devastated at his crucifixion even if they rejoiced in the resurrection.
The fact remains though that at some point our temples will be razed, we will die and no one knows for sure when that will be. We may the hunkiest of hunks or the twinkiest of twinks and our time could be just around the corner, gay straight or whatever.
This seems like a long road to a simple message. On this second day of Advent I am reminded oddly of Ronald Reagan who said to Mikhail Gorbachev, "tear down this wall". My mantra for advent would be to "rebuild your temple". While maintaining physical appearance is always good and healthy, it is a time to refocus ourselves on the most crucial part of our temples, our heart and our soul. Besides love, what greater gift can we give than to respect ourselves, respect our God and respect our relationship with God.
This Advent we can work on refocusing our commitment to the temple of holiness we should be. We can give the gift of a renewed relationship with God.
We can see that the notion of 'temple' relates not just to buildings but also to bodies. If the body is a temple, the gay community has some mighty fine temples walking around. It almost would seem an obsession of sorts. In the general public at large the idea of your body as a temple is seen in the growing trend to watch everything that we eat, to respect our bodies and nourish it with only foods that are good, natural and wholesome. This is another way of respecting the temple that is our bodies. With some exceptions I am on board with this trend. I think any religion worth its salt would also see our bodies as creations of God that should be respected.
But then there is the passage that speaks of beautifully adorned temples being razed. We will be razed. That is, we will surely die one day. Sometimes, sadly, that time comes too soon and loved ones leave us. Surely Jesus left us too soon, especially in the eyes of the Apostles and His mother who were devastated at his crucifixion even if they rejoiced in the resurrection.
The fact remains though that at some point our temples will be razed, we will die and no one knows for sure when that will be. We may the hunkiest of hunks or the twinkiest of twinks and our time could be just around the corner, gay straight or whatever.
This seems like a long road to a simple message. On this second day of Advent I am reminded oddly of Ronald Reagan who said to Mikhail Gorbachev, "tear down this wall". My mantra for advent would be to "rebuild your temple". While maintaining physical appearance is always good and healthy, it is a time to refocus ourselves on the most crucial part of our temples, our heart and our soul. Besides love, what greater gift can we give than to respect ourselves, respect our God and respect our relationship with God.
This Advent we can work on refocusing our commitment to the temple of holiness we should be. We can give the gift of a renewed relationship with God.
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’
They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them.
‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.
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