The meaning of the destruction of the Temple

Gospel Thoughts

34th Week : Tuesday

GOSPEL Lk 21: 5-11

First Reading - Rev 14:14-19

*The meaning of the destruction of the Temple*

*1) Jesus foretells the destruction of the Temple*

The temple was built and was adorned with costly stones. 

It was looking beautiful and attractive. All were surprised to see the beautiful structure and the glory of the temple 

But Jesus says *days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.*

Accordingly the temple was destroyed in the Year 70 AD by the Romans

*2) We are and our Body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit*

The same above logic is also applied to our earthly life. 

This life is adorned with beautiful things, like beauty, external glory, power, achievements, pleasure, name and fame. 

But we need to remember that days will come when all these things will be destroyed and nothing will be left. 

In fact life is built with different stones like a building. When we apply the fate of Jerusalem temple to our own life we can see that the following stones will thrown down as we grow.

*3) The various stones of our life* 

*A) The stone of Childhood*

Only for a short period of time we have this stone of childhood. 

After few years we lose the stone of childhood forever. 

*B) The Stone of Youthfulness*

This stone gives us a lots of opportunity as well as challenges. 

Some find it very difficult to manage this Stone

Some lose their entire life along with this stone. 

One needs to be very careful in handling this stone

*C) The Stone of achievements*

When people achieve the middle age they think about this stone and they try to make this stone as stronger as possible. 

*D) The stone of old age*

This stone becomes very burdensome and no one wishes to have this Stone. But life can not go through with out this Stone, unless one dies at the early stage.

*E) The stone of beauty*

One of the most important stone, which everybody wants to possess and wishes to keep it forever 

People are ready to do anything for the sake of this stone. 

*F) The stone of strength/muscle power*

People love to have this stone with them all the time. But it is not possible. 

*G) The stone of Wealth*

Wealth is not permanent. It comes and goes or at times remains with us for a longer duration 

No one wants to give up this stone. 

*H) The stone of family, relatives, friends and other well wishers*

*I) The stone of our knowledge, talents, skills, status, intelligence*

As we grow one by one the stones will be thrown down and one day the whole temple will be empty without any stones. 

With the death of a. Person all the stones of the life will be thrown down and nothing remain in the material form 

*4) Only temple was destroyed and not The holiness and source of holiness - God*

Romans were able to destroy the temple which was standing with various stones. 

But they could not destroy the presence of God and Gods mighty interventions. 

Like wise our bodily life may be destroyed. But the spiritual aspect, the holiness aspect can never be destroyed. 

*5) What about my life?*

What type of temple have I built in my life? 

What is the value of this temple  to me? 

Is this temple has beauty only from outside? Deceptive beauty or genuine beauty. 

Think about this 

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*