Today at my church,, the gospel was about the Temple Cleansing. This story caught my ear, because I am still curious about it ever since I read it in Crossan's book.
According to Father, Jesus was in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover by having a feast. While visiting the Temple, he was upset by what he saw. He was ashamed a place built in the name of his father was a used as a robber's den. He overturned the tables and told the ox and dove owners to leave. These creatures are not meant to be sacrifices.
"Destroy this temple!! I shall raise it up in 3 days!"
The Jews were in disbelief. Why should they destroy the Temple? What evidence is there that would make the Jews believe what Jesus says is true? It took 46 years to build, and he will raise it in 3 days?? It wasn't until later that the disciples realized that Jesus was talking about the Temple of his body.
Crossan points this out as well, but it wasn't until today in church when I realized that when Jesus says, "Destroy the Temple," he is actually telling the Jews to destroy him! " Imagine telling someone to destroy you...
Doves and ox are not good enough. Sacrifice me/my body! It will be raised in 3 days.
The people thought he was crazy. Who was this man to come in and overturn the tables? Who was he to say that these animals were not worthy of sacrifice? And he wants to die instead? Very well...
The priest then talked about the Kingdom of God, and how Jesus claimed that no building on Earth could be worthy enough to be called "The Kingdom of God;" that the Kingdom existed wherever Believers congregated. The priest said that this church, Pope John Paul the Great, was the Kingdom of God whenever mass was held. However, the Kingdom is never confined to one particular building.
Recently in my hometown, one of the churches has been reopened since it was closed 1,150 days ago.
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/02/after_three-year_vigil_st_stan.html
Back when it first happened, many Polish people in town were upset that their church was being closed. The place where they were once married, where their grandparent's funeral service was held, or where their children were baptized, closed. I think they were more upset about a building full of family history being closed, rather than a place of worship being closed. Whatever the reason, they never let the church sit empty.
About 200 people participated in the vigil for about 3-4 years. They were upset, and they all wanted their voices heard. More often, they came across being rude or jealous. I understand they were hurt, but if they listened to the word of the scriptures, they had no need to.
What about those who are overseas fighting in war. What about the bed-ridden people? Think of anyone who physically can't make it to their church to worship or pray. In Sunday school, we were always taught that good practicing Christians go to Mass every week. If God is all around us, then why do we need to meet in one particular place? This reading of Crossan helped to explain a lot of miscommunication for me.
The priest explained that we have churches as a safe place for all of us to meet and listen to the Gospel. True, we don't have to meet every week, but it's not likely we will have the same group dynamic and discussions otherwise. It's like going to class. Sure, we could do the reading on our own each week, but when we meet to listen and share ideas with each other, we benefit more.
The Kingdom of God is where ever Believers meet, in God's name. It is not confined to one church, nor should it be. If a church closes, it is sad to remember all the good times once held there, but it's not the end of God's Kingdom.
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