THIS IS THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD – YOUR BODY (Jer 7:4; 1Cor 6:19)!

⏰Saturday of the Sixteenth Week of Ordinary Time 2 (28 July 2018)

📖Jer 7:1-11; Ps 84:3, 4, 5-6a and 8a, 11 (R.v.2); Matt 13:24-30

One of the major things that Jeremiah condemned in his prophecy is the temple prostitution and desecration which were becoming the order of the day. Many abuses were beginning to be allowed into religion and their worship were becoming one of lip service.

Jeremiah condemned this attitude and called on them to turn away from these in order to worship God in truth. Only then can they gain the blessings and protection of God (see Jer 7:1-11).

While Jeremiah condemned the desecration of the temple which is the house of God, St Paul reminds us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (cf. 1Cor 6:19). We must desist from any sin that desecrates our body, especially the sins of adultery and fornication.

Let us not join the bang of people who think that sexual immortalities like caressing, kissing and romancing outside wedlock is just a play and not sinful. It was the same way that the people of Jeremiah’s time thought that some of their abuses of the temple were not sinful.

It is important that we make great effort in training our bodies to really be of God. Parents should equally ensure that they bring up their children in the fear of God.

If we do not keep watch always but go to sleep like the servants in Matt 13:25, we may give the enemy they opportunity to come in and plant the weed of spiritual downfall in our lives and deny us of the blessings of God.

May God forbid that we shall dwell in sin and lose his blessings for us. Amen.

Have a blessed and joyful weekend. Amen. Peace be with you.