Delivered by Ria from the Parish of Good Shepherd in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. 1 Maccabees 2: 15-29; Rs psalm 50: 1-2.5-6.14-15; Luke 19: 41-44.

THE HOUSE OF GODTHAT IS DESTROYED

Today's meditation is entitled: The House of God thatis Destroyed. There was a recent flood disaster that hit a village inhabited byCatholics. There stands a parish church which was built with community’sself-funded funds about ten years ago. Half of the church building wasdestroyed by the floods, along with much damage to the village. What standsfirm and is not affected by anything is the bell tower on which there is across.

Every parishioner and visitor who saw the condition ofthe badly damaged church building showed sadness and shared in the grieftogether. They reminisced about the times when they worked together to buildit. They remember the wonderful times when they worshipped together ingratitude and the warmth of faith among the priest and his people. They notedthat there have been so many sacramental celebrations performed in the church.

We all understand that the church is a place where Goddwells. In His public ministry, Jesus Christ sanctified every place He enteredand visited. The temple is no longer centered in one place, but is in JesusChrist who moves, walks, and reaches every home and person of those who welcomeHim. Jesus brought His own temple to sanctify all who came to or encountered.

The worship and purification of God's house is clearlydemonstrated by Mattathias and his Jewish sons, as narrated in today's firstreading. King Antiochus Epiphanes forced the Jews to abandon their worship ofthe Lord God, and to follow the idolatry of the pagans. Mattathias and hisgroup resisted the imposition of the will vigorously, that following the king'swill meant destruction, while following the Lord God meant salvation.

Jesus himself fell in pity and became very sad aboutthe holy place, the house of God in Jerusalem which was full of stains of sinbecause of the actions of the religious leaders and the unbelievers in a trueand sincere way. As a result of the desecration, the house will be destroyed tothe ground. In fact, God was foretelling that the kingdom of this world,represented by the magnificent Jerusalem, will in due time be destroyed. Thishappened around 71 AD, Jerusalem was really destroyed by the invaders, namelythe Romans.

Later in the course of time and up to this moment,earthly Jerusalem has never lived in peace and joy. This picture is verysuitable for comparison with every person of believers who is afflicted withsin and iniquity. Destruction and damage are coming soon. God weeps over oursinful condition. We should be aware of that and we should immediately turn toGod and become again His beloved children.

Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O most loving Lord,accept our confession of lack of faithfulness to You and forgive our sins.Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit... In the name of theFather ...