The Glory of the Lord Filled the Temple

This meditation is based on a passage for June 11, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Ezekiel 43:1-12

Reflection and Question: Ezekiel’s inspired imagination conceives of God entering the temple even though, in reality, the Temple had been defiled by both the sins of Israel and the conquest by her enemies. Restoration of the Temple and of the people will come, according to Ezekiel, after Israel acknowledges her iniquities and expresses her shame. Once this is done, the plans for the Temple will be shared so that it can be rebuilt and the glory of God may take up residence again. This is the logic of the Temple and the Law, not of Jesus. How does the logic of Jesus differ from this logic of the Temple?

Prayer: Blessed Spirit, with Ezekiel we look to You to fill the Temple with Your glory and yet we know what is coming will not be exactly the same as the Temple in the past. Forgive our iniquities and give us the plans You already have in mind. Amen.