There is a beautiful octagonal baptistery at the Lateran Basilica in Rome (check out the online pictures). It is large enough to immerse a person, since that was the general practice of the early church. Today’s first reading about water flowing from the temple seems appropriate for a feast for the dedication of the basilica. The prevailing view of the earliest commentators on Ezekiel 47 is that the flowing water is a reference to the teaching of the Church and baptism. This mirrors the Great Commission of Jesus to go and make disciples through baptism and teaching (Matthew 28:1ff.). To St. Jerome, the temple of the Lord is Jesus and “from his bosom, the Savior came forth and sweetened the Dead Sea and the bitter waters.” If we are watered by the flow from this sanctuary, we will bear fresh fruit. This is, I believe, what Jesus meant in John 15 when he challenged us to remain in him. Only then will we produce the fruit of the Spirit.

The waters of the river gladden the City of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High! God is in the middle of this city. Thus, the city will not be disturbed. It is easy to get disturbed about what is happening in our world: war, terrorism, hatred. We even wonder sometimes what our own Church leaders are up to. But take heart: the City of God is not disturbed by these things because God is our refuge, our strength, our stronghold, an ever-present help in distress.

St. Paul says that Jesus is our foundation. It is secure. Each of us is a temple of God. What flows forth from us? We are called to be holy because the Holy Spirit dwells in the temple. Re-read that first reading. Does what comes from me have the effect of making the world around me fresh and alive? Does my life produce healing and fruitfulness? It can, but only if this small t temple relies on the water that flows from the large T Temple.

Jesus was zealous about the Temple in Jerusalem because it was supposed to be a house of prayer, not a place to buy and sell. He honored and respected it. However, in Him, a new Temple was here. The old Temple was the place where God dwelt in the midst of his people. Now, God had come in the flesh and that new Temple could be destroyed but not for long. He indeed raised it up in three days.

Jesus’ body is the living Temple of God. All of us who follow him are also temples of God. Our lives are called to holiness because the Spirit of God dwells in his temples. We become fruitful, life-giving temples when we feast on the water of life flowing from Jesus. Our bodies will one day be destroyed but, just as Jesus’ body was raised from the dead, we have been promised that our bodies, our temples, will also be raised.

In the meantime, let us glorify God in our bodies and bring life to the world.